In a recent court decision, a Mexican citizen is facing potential prison time in Canada after accidentally crossing the border and being caught with a substantial amount of cocaine hidden in his spare tire.
Federico Jimenez Martinez, the accused, was found with nearly $2 million worth of cocaine in his trunk during a secondary inspection by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers.
The incident occurred on August 29, 2021, when Jimenez Martinez drove a black Suburban across the Ambassador Bridge into Canada.
He claimed that he did not realize he had entered Canada until he saw the Canadian patch on the officer’s uniform at the inspection booth.
CBSA officers discovered the stash of 18 brick-like items of cocaine inside the spare tire, estimating its street value to be nearly $2 million.
During the trial, Jimenez Martinez argued that he had unintentionally come to Canada and was only transporting the drugs to protect his family from a Mexican cartel.
However, the Crown attorney conceded that there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Jimenez Martinez knew he was crossing into Canada.
Consequently, he was acquitted of the importation charge but convicted of drug possession.
Justice Kirk Munroe, who presided over the case, rejected Jimenez Martinez’s explanation for the drug trip, citing inconsistencies in his evidence.
The judge questioned where he lived in the U.S., why he made the trip to Michigan, and what he did on the morning the drugs were placed in his vehicle.
According to Justice Munroe, Jimenez Martinez was a knowing participant in the drug conspiracy.
Federico Jimenez Martinez is now awaiting a sentencing hearing scheduled for June.
In the trial, it was revealed that there were no fingerprints on either the spare tire or the 18 cocaine packages seized from his vehicle.
Additional evidence presented during the trial included testimony from Jimenez Martinez’s brother, who discussed phone calls he received after his brother went missing.
For more detailed coverage and additional trial evidence, including the brother’s testimony, interested readers can find comprehensive information online.
