Five El Pasoans face smuggling charges
By Daniel Borunda / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 05/28/2008 12:28:52 PM MDT


Five El Paso men face charges they conspired to smuggle more than $2.5 million in clothing from China into the U.S., the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Starting in 2003, the men diverted in-bond shipments from China that falsely claimed to be destined for Mexico and delivered the merchandise to U.S. vendors, alleged a federal indictment after an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The diversion avoided an estimated $520,000 in legal Custom duties.

Jose A. Dominguez, 66; Richard Ortiz Jr. 44; Raul Guillermo Valdivia, 41; and Jaime Guadalupe Camarillo, 46; were arrested Friday. They all face charges of conspiracy to enter goods by false statements, smuggling and attempting to smuggle goods into the U.S. Ortiz, Valdivia, and Camarillo also face additional charges.

Mark Alan Elias, 38, of El Paso, who was already jailed in an unrelated case, was charged with conspiracy, aiding and abetting entry of goods by false statements and aiding and abetting smuggling. The men face up to five years in prison, if convicted.





http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_9404066