A Calexico man has been sentenced for conspiring to smuggle unapproved pesticides and veterinary drugs in the United States.

Ruben Montes, 60, of Calexico, was sentenced to 16 months in prison and ordered to pay over $12,000 in forfeiture for conspiring to smuggle more than $3 million worth of Mexican pesticides and veterinary drugs not approved for use in the United States. According to the U. S. Attorney's Office, Montes coordinated the smuggling operation since 2020. The primary pesticides involved were Taktic and Bovitraz. The snuggled veterinary drugs included Tylocet, Terramicina, Tetragebt Aes, and Catarrol. Court documents show that Montes' coconspirators in Mexico bought the drugs, smuggled them into the U.S. and then distributed them throughout the country.