Woman caught trying to smuggle drugs into prison

A woman was arrested on suspicion of her involvement in a controlled substance with the intent to distribute while visiting an inmate at Calipatria State Prison.

A spokesman for the CSP said that on the morning of June 8, Janet Esteban utilized the restroom while visiting an inmate where staff then searched the restroom and noticed a strong odor of marijuana in the restroom.

Visiting staff asked Esteban to submit to a search in which she consented and the outcome was positive for one bindle with a weight of 17.8 grams.

The staff then opened the bindle for testing, where three bundles were discovered. Bindle #1a weighed 8.0 grams and tested positive for heroin, Bindle #1b weighed 5.5 grams and tested positive for heroin, Bindle #1c three weighed 2.1 grams and tested positive for marijuana.

CSP said staff then asked Esteban for consent in a search of her vehicle in which she agreed to and no other contraband was found.

The visitor had a three-year-old with her during the visitation and Child Protection Services was contacted and took custody of the minor.

Esteban was arrested and transported to the Imperial County Jail for her involvement in the introduction of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute.