Tara K. McGrath, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California
Ruben Montes, a resident of Calexico, California, has admitted guilt in federal court for his involvement in smuggling and distributing over $3 million worth of unapproved Mexican pesticides and veterinary drugs into the United States. The illegal activities have been ongoing since at least November 2020.
Montes confessed to coordinating the smuggling operations from Mexico and personally bringing the chemicals and drugs into the U.S., where he distributed them. Among the primary pesticides involved were Taktic and Bovitraz, which are not registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The veterinary drugs included Tylocet, Terramicina, Tetragent Ares, and Catarrol, none of which are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Authorities revealed that Montes and his accomplices concealed these substances in storage units located in Calexico before distributing them across various regions in the United States.
The EPA experts have identified amitraz as the active ingredient in Taktic and Bovitraz pesticides. Amitraz is known to be toxic to bees if released into hives and poses health risks to humans through contaminated honey products. "These substances not only threaten the health and safety of our communities but also undermine the integrity of U.S. regulatory safeguards designed to protect consumers and the environment," stated U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath.
Benjamin Carr, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in California, highlighted that Montes's actions endangered consumer health and jeopardized honeybee populations crucial for food production: "The defendant's conduct put consumer's health and the honeybee industry at risk."
Shawn Gibson from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) noted that this guilty plea resulted from an extensive investigation conducted alongside EPA agents: "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and bring to justice criminals who introduce substances that threaten the safety of our communities."
Charles Grinstead from FDA Office of Criminal Investigations reiterated their commitment: “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who attempt to evade the law.”
Sentencing for Ruben Montes is scheduled for April 2, 2025, before U.S. District Judge John A. Houston.
This case involves efforts by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabet Brown from Southern District of California's office along with Senior Trial Attorney Stephen Da Ponte from Environmental Crimes Section under Department Justice Environment Natural Resources Division.
