An Arizona woman held in a Mexico jail for a week after federal police said they found 12 pounds of marijuana under her bus seat was freed and returned to the United States. A court reviewed her case, including key security footage, and dismissed the allegations.
Yanira Maldonado, 42, walked out of the prison on the outskirts of Nogales, Mexico, and into her husband’s arms late Thursday and crossed through the Nogales port of entry into Arizona. After spending the night in a hotel, she drove away with a police escort at midmorning Friday and was expected to return to her Phoenix-area home to be reunited with her children.
Maldonado spoke briefly after her release, thanking U.S. State Department officials, her husband, her lawyers and prison workers who made her stay comfortable.
“Many thanks to everyone, especially my God who let me go free, my family, my children, who with their help, I was able to survive this test,” she said.
Maldonado also said at a news conference later that she still loves Mexico, and the experience will not stop her from returning to visit family.
“It’s not Mexico’s fault. It’s a few people who did this to me and probably other people, who knows?” Maldonado said. “I’m still going to go back.”
The family’s lawyer in Nogales, Jose Francisco Benitez Paz, said a judge determined Thursday that Maldonado was no longer a suspect, and all allegations against her were dropped. Prosecutors are appealing the ruling, but Benitez said that is routine and Maldonado will not have to return to testify.
Maldonado’s release came hours after court officials reviewed security footage that showed Maldonado boarding a commercial bus traveling from Mexico to Phoenix with only blankets, bottles of water and her purse in hand.
U.S. politicians portrayed her as a victim of a corrupt judicial system and demanded her release, with Arizona congressmen saying they were working closely with Mexican authorities.
Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who previously said he has had “multiple conversations with the deputy Mexican ambassador,” on Friday welcomed Maldonado’s release.
“Though I’m sure this last week has been a nightmare for her, I’m thankful that Mrs. Maldonado’s clear innocence was proved and that she is now home safe with her family,” he said in a statement released by his office.
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said her administration had been closely monitoring Maldonado’s case and been talking with authorities on both sides of the border.
“As Americans, we all know that our precious constitutional rights don’t extend beyond our nation’s borders,” she said. “It is this kind of case that once again illustrates how blessed we are in this country. Most of all, I am so happy for the Maldonado family that they can now put this chapter of their lives behind them.”
Maldonado was arrested by the Mexican military last week after they found nearly 12 pounds of marijuana under her seat during a security checkpoint.
Benitez noted it was a fairly sophisticated smuggling effort that included packets of drugs attached to the seat bottoms with metal hooks — a task that would have been impossible for a passenger. He said witness testimony and the surveillance video showed Maldonado was innocent.
About the Author
