2 drug-smuggling mothers busted

Five drug busts were made within two days, including two cases which involved women who were traveling with children, said officials with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

CBP officers working at the Ysleta international crossing seized 23.8 pounds of cocaine on Wednesday. A drug-sniffing dog alerted authorities to a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. The vehicle was being driven by a 28-year-old woman who was traveling with three daughters ages 9, 7 and 10 months. CBP officers said they removed 11 cocaine-filled bundles from a false compartment in the rear wheel-well area of the car

CBP officers took custody of the driver, 28-year-old Maria Elena Estrada Garcia of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. She was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement HSI special agents to face federal charges in connection with the failed smuggling attempt. She is currently detained at the El Paso County jail and being held without bond.

A 22-year-old woman who was traveling with her 2-year-old son was arrested after authorities sad she tried crossing 29 pounds of marijuana on Wednesday. Angelica Hernandez-Sanchez, of Tornillo, was trying to cross at the Bridge of the Americas when another drug-sniffing dog alerted them to the spare tire.

Hernandez-Sanchez was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement HSI special agents to face federal charges in connection with the failed smuggling attempt. She is currently detained at the El Paso County jail and being held without bond.

Three additional marijuana seizures totaled 156 pounds.