A couple from Thermal pleaded guilty to conspiring to smuggle and distribute $2 million worth of Mexican pesticides and veterinary drugs.

Otilio Rodrguez Toledo and Alicia Aispuro Hernandez, husband and wife, appeared in federal court in San Diego this week. The defendants acknowledged that since at least December of 2018, they had been engaged in smuggling pesticides and veterinary drugs from Mexico and distributing them in the U.S. The pesticides were primarily Taktic and Bovitraz, which are not registered for use in the United States. The various veterinary drugs that were smuggled were also not approved for use in the U.S. The couple admitted they smuggled the contraband through the Calexico Port of Entry, placed them in storage units and then distributed them throughout the United States. The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced by U. S. District Judge John A. Houston on June 20, 2023. Maximum penalty is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.