A Mexican citizen residing in San Diego has been charged with attempting to smuggle banned, cancer-causing pesticides into California. Juan Velderrain Perez, 43, was arrested last month at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry with 24 liters of Mexican-labeled pesticides, according to prosecutors.
The chemicals, identified as “Taktic,” contain the active ingredient amitraz. The Environmental Protection Agency has banned amitraz in the U.S. since at least 2019 due to its reproductive, developmental, and neurological risks, as well as its potential long-term cancer risks. Animal studies have also linked amitraz to reduced male fertility and live births.
During the stop, Perez allegedly did not declare the chemicals and pleaded with a border agent to avoid being detained. He later reportedly confessed to previous smuggling activities and expected to be paid for the delivery.
Perez appeared in federal court to face charges related to the smuggling of unapproved pesticides. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 15. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This is not the first instance of pesticide smuggling across the California-Mexico border. In 2022, a woman convicted of leading a cross-border pesticide smuggling ring was found to have directed couriers to transport concentrated Taktic and Bovitraz through California ports of entry.