Woman Sent to Prison for Importing Nearly 2000 Fentanyl Pills

A 32-year-old Kentucky woman has been ordered to federal prison after attempting to hide narcotics inside her body and within her undergarments, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Yenny Yamileth Pino pleaded guilty Feb. 4, 2019.

Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez, who accepted the guilty plea, handed Pino a 30-month-term of imprisonment. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the dangers of Fentanyl, how addictive it is and the problem it has become in the United States over the last few years.

On Aug. 12, 2018, Pino walked into the Hidalgo port of entry from Mexico. At primary, she began to give inconsistent statements and was sent to secondary inspection. Federal agents soon discovered nearly 900 fentanyl pills hidden in her undergarments.

She then admitted to having more inside her. Medical personnel assisted in the removal of an additional 1100 fentanyl pills hidden inside of her vagina, wrapped in a cylinder and covered by a condom.

Law enforcement ultimately discovered a total of 1981 hidden pills.

Pino was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Lindenmuth is prosecuting the case.

This is a press release from the Department of Justice.