A Texas couple has been sentenced in federal court for operating a sophisticated $2.4 million drug smuggling operation that brought unapproved veterinary drugs and pesticides from Mexico into the United States. The case highlights the growing challenges authorities face in tracking illegal imports once they enter domestic distribution networks, using a combination of cross-border smuggling, e-commerce platforms, and parcel delivery services.
Thao Duong and Lam Mai, a married couple from Garland, Texas, received their sentences on September 8, 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Duong was sentenced to three months in prison followed by two years of supervised release and was ordered to forfeit more than $1.5 million. Her husband, Mai, received two years of probation for his role as the operation’s shipping manager.
How the Cross-Border Smuggling Operation Worked
The Texas drug smuggling scheme operated through a carefully coordinated cross-border supply chain that combined storage facilities near the U.S.-Mexico border, domestic shipping networks, and online sales platforms. According to court filings and evidence cited by prosecutors, the operation moved prohibited products from Mexico to customers throughout the country with remarkable efficiency.
Duong began selling animal-care products through various online platforms around 2011, primarily targeting customers involved in rooster fighting ventures. Notably, she was not a licensed veterinarian and did not require customers to provide veterinary prescriptions when purchasing veterinary drugs. This lack of oversight allowed the operation to flourish for over a decade.
Among the illegal products sold were Cipio Vet, Baytril Max, and Caterrol. These products were manufactured in Mexico but were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States. The operation expanded significantly in 2017 when Duong added Taktic and Bovitraz pesticides to her inventory.
The Calexico Port of Entry Connection
The smuggled merchandise crossed the border through the Calexico port of entry in California, according to the DOJ. After entering the United States, the pesticides and veterinary drugs were placed in storage units strategically located near the border. This geographic positioning allowed the operation to maintain a steady supply while minimizing detection risks.
In 2018, Duong launched a dedicated website that became the primary sales and distribution channel for the operation. Prosecutors said she then entered into agreements with several co-conspirators to acquire veterinary drugs and pesticides that she knew had been smuggled into the U.S. from Mexico.
The co-conspirators subsequently shipped the merchandise from California to Texas, creating another leg in the illicit supply chain. From 2018 through 2022, Duong obtained approximately $2.4 million worth of smuggled merchandise from the co-conspirators, according to prosecutors.
Read more: Mexico Truck Exports Surge Past $2B: What It Means
Nationwide Distribution Through Parcel Services
Mai served as the shipping manager for the website, playing a crucial role in the operation’s distribution network. Once customers placed orders, Mai packaged the pesticides and veterinary drugs and shipped them to buyers around the country using the U.S. Postal Service and other shipping companies.
This aspect of the operation demonstrates how illegal importers can exploit legitimate parcel delivery services to distribute prohibited products nationwide. The use of multiple shipping carriers likely helped the operation avoid detection by spreading shipments across different delivery networks.
The case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency and FDA, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. This multi-agency approach underscores the complexity of investigating cross-border smuggling operations that touch multiple regulatory jurisdictions.
Environmental and Public Health Concerns
Federal authorities emphasized that the pesticides presented potential environmental and public-health risks. Neither Taktic nor Bovitraz was registered with the Environmental Protection Agency for sale or use in the United States, meaning they could not legally be sold domestically under any circumstances.
Both products contain amitraz, which the EPA said is toxic to bees and can ultimately expose humans when it contaminates honey, honeycomb, or beeswax. This poses particular risks for beekeepers and consumers of bee products who may unknowingly come into contact with contaminated materials.
Improper use of amitraz products in beehives can result in human exposure associated with neurological and potentially reproductive effects. Documented signs of neurotoxicity in animals include central nervous system depression, decreased pulse rate, and hypothermia.
“No one should profit from bringing illegal chemicals into the United States and poisoning American communities.”
Implications for Border Security and E-Commerce
This Texas drug smuggling case provides a detailed look at how illicit cross-border supply chains use border storage facilities, domestic shipping networks, and e-commerce to distribute prohibited products. The operation’s longevity—spanning from approximately 2011 to at least 2022—demonstrates the challenges authorities face in identifying and dismantling such networks.
The case also highlights concerns about online marketplaces being used to sell illegal products. By operating through e-commerce platforms and a dedicated website, the couple was able to reach customers across the entire United States without traditional retail oversight.
For Latino communities involved in agriculture and animal husbandry, this case serves as a reminder about the importance of purchasing veterinary products from licensed sources. Unapproved medications not only carry legal risks but may also pose dangers to animal health and, as this case demonstrates, to broader environmental and human health.
The rooster fighting connection mentioned by prosecutors also raises questions about underground animal activities that create demand for unregulated products. This aspect of the case may lead to additional investigations involving cross-border activities and illegal animal operations.
The multi-year investigation required coordination between the EPA, FDA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. This collaborative approach reflects the complex nature of smuggling operations that cross multiple regulatory boundaries and utilize various transportation methods.
As e-commerce continues to grow and cross-border trade expands, cases like this one underscore the need for enhanced monitoring of online sales channels for prohibited products. The sentenced couple’s ability to operate for over a decade raises questions about gaps in regulatory oversight.
The forfeiture of more than $1.5 million from Duong represents a significant financial penalty, though it falls short of the total $2.4 million in smuggled merchandise the operation handled. Mai’s two-year probation sentence reflects his subordinate role in the conspiracy as the shipping manager.
The U.S. Department of Justice continues to pursue cases involving illegal importation of unapproved products, particularly those that pose environmental or public health risks. The next major border security review by federal agencies is scheduled for January 2027, when officials will assess new strategies for detecting similar smuggling operations.
What products were involved in this Texas drug smuggling case?
The operation involved unapproved veterinary drugs including Cipio Vet, Baytril Max, and Caterrol, as well as pesticides Taktic and Bovitraz. None of these products were approved by the FDA or registered with the EPA for use in the United States.
What sentences did the Texas couple receive?
Thao Duong received three months in prison followed by two years of supervised release and was ordered to forfeit more than $1.5 million. Lam Mai was sentenced to two years of probation.
Why are Taktic and Bovitraz pesticides dangerous?
Both products contain amitraz, which is toxic to bees and can contaminate honey, honeycomb, and beeswax. Human exposure can cause neurological and potentially reproductive effects, including central nervous system depression.
How did the smuggling operation distribute products nationwide?
The products entered through the Calexico port of entry in California, were stored near the border, then shipped to Texas. Mai packaged and shipped orders using the U.S. Postal Service and other carriers to customers across the country.
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