Two women were sentenced to 19 years in prison after being caught attempting to introduce firearms, ammunition, drugs, and cell phones into the La Joya Penitentiary Center. Judge Fany Merel validated a plea agreement reached between the defense and the Public Ministry to avoid reaching the trial phase, where they could have received a harsher sentence. Both women had been charged with illegal possession of firearms and drug trafficking, the latter in its aggravated form, as the substance was destined for a penitentiary center. The judge also imposed an accessory penalty of a five-year firearm prohibition upon completion of their prison sentence. The women were arrested last Saturday by National Police agents during a surveillance operation near the La Joya Penitentiary Center. During a search by the authorities, 38 packages of drugs, 190 pills, several cell phones, and tattoo equipment were found, which were intended for inmates. In 2025, the Police seized several drones used to drop packages with drugs and cell phones into the La Joya Penitentiary Center. Following these incidents, patrols are conducted in the vicinity of the prison to detect criminal networks that carry out this type of illicit activity. Drones are used to drop small packages containing drugs, cigarettes, cell phones, lighters, and other items required by gang members operating in the different pavilions of the center.
