Friday, October 10, 2008 at 3:38 p.m.
Read more: State, Crime, Mexico
American officials arrested a Mexican businessman for allegedly smuggle huge quantities of blank compact disks from the United States into Mexico.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas said Jesus Argandona was arrested Thursday night after landing at the San Antonio airport from Mexico City.
Argandona was moved to Laredo where he faces federal charges.
A federal criminal complaint alleges Argandona paid other people to illegally smuggle blank compact disks from Laredo into Mexico.
The blank compact disks were manufactured in China and were valued at approximately $600,000.
Argandona was charged under a new federal law passed by Congress prohibiting the smuggling of goods through or from the United States.
The Mexican business appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Saldana who ordered that he remain in custody until a hearing next Friday.
U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement agents first learned of Argandona's activities in January when they made three arrests in separate, but related cases.
If convicted, Argandona could face 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine or both.
