Ruben Montes, a resident of Calexico, California, has been sentenced to 16 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $12,710 in forfeiture. The sentence was handed down by a federal court for his role in conspiring to smuggle and distribute over $3 million worth of unapproved Mexican pesticides and veterinary drugs into the United States.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for the Southern District of California emphasized the risks posed by such illegal activities: “Bringing in and selling pesticides and veterinary drugs illegally puts both people and the environment at risk.” He further stated that these unregulated products could be harmful to animals, insects, and humans.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson from the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division highlighted the importance of border security: “A secure border is vital to ensuring the health and safety of Americans.” He reaffirmed the Justice Department's commitment to prosecuting those who violate environmental and customs laws.
Court documents revealed that since 2020, Montes coordinated efforts to smuggle pesticides such as Taktic and Bovitraz from Mexico into the U.S., which are not registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Additionally, veterinary drugs including Tylocet, Terramicina, Tetragent Ares, and Catarrol were also brought in without approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Montes instructed co-conspirators to transport these products across the border without declaration. Once inside the U.S., they stored them in Calexico before distributing them nationwide. Montes worked alongside his co-defendant Gutierrez—who remains at large—to supply individuals implicated in another case titled United States v. Toledo et al.
The EPA warns that amitraz—the active ingredient in Taktic and Bovitraz—is toxic if misused around bees or consumed through contaminated honey products. This can lead to neurological effects among other health issues.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabet Brown for Southern California along with Assistant Section Chief Stephen Da Ponte prosecuted this case.