LA woman arrested for trying to smuggle marijuana

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

A Los Angeles woman is behind bars afters officers said she tried to smuggle marijuana at Calipatria State Prison.

Calipatria State Prison officials said 23-year-old Rosario Nicolas Benitez was at the prison Saturday. The Visiting Staff on Facility “B” was alerted to Benitez, who was exiting the Visitors Restroom with a minor child.

Officers said Benitez smelled of marijuana. She was there to visit an inmate. Visiting staff alerted the Investigative Services Unit (ISU) staff, who spoke with Benitez and she gave them one latex bindle.

Officials said a subsequent consented search of Benitez revealed one additional latex bindle; both bindles had a combined weight of 6.3 grams of a waxy substance, suspected Marijuana.

The waxy substance has a higher concentration and its estimated prison value is $4,725.00.

The evidence collected did not link any inmate to the crime. Care of the minor child was given to Child Protective Services. Benitez was booked into the Imperial County Jail and is facing felony charges. If convicted Benitez is facing three to five years in prison.