In re Luis M. CA4/1

FACTS

On August 22, 2012, 16-year-old Luis attempted to cross from Mexico into the

United States at the Otay Mesa port of entry through the pedestrian gate. After giving his

United States passport card to Customs and Border Protection Officer Jorge De Guzman

Limfueco and stating he had nothing to declare, Luis began to pass through the turnstile.

At that point, Officer Limfueco noticed something bulging from Luis's abdomen, he

Further statutory references are to the Health and Safety Code unless otherwise specified.

2 lifted up Luis's shirt, and found gauze wrapped around him. Luis was handcuffed and

escorted to the security office for further investigation by officers assigned to that task.

The officers found bags of white powder strapped to Luis's abdomen and thighs. The

substance was later confirmed to be 99 percent pure methamphetamine with a street value

of nearly $80,000.

At trial, Luis testified that he had been playing soccer in his Tijuana neighborhood

with friends on the day he was arrested. At the conclusion of the game, Jose C., an

acquaintance, asked if he would like to play another game of soccer with a larger group

in Otay,…