Crime & Safety

2 Women Accused of Smuggling Drugs Into Southwest Detention Center

In August, staff at the county jail in unincorporated Murrieta allegedly intercepted undisclosed narcotics from incoming mail, according to a sheriff's sergeant.

Two Perris women are accused of smuggling drugs to inmates at Southwest Detention Center via U.S. mail, a sheriff's official said Monday.

An investigation into the alleged smuggling began in August when staff at the county jail in unincorporated Murrieta intercepted narcotics from incoming mail, Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. Vance Stolte stated in a news release.

“An extensive investigation was conducted and as a result, additional narcotics were found to have been sent into the jail and two suspects were identified,” Stolte said.

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The suspects, Elizabeth Santamaria, 34, and Carolina Moreno, 33, both of Perris, were arrested Aug. 29 when the Southwest Corridor Narcotics Task Force served a search warrant at a residence in the 18600 block of Beck Street in unincorporated Perris.

“At the residence, investigators seized additional evidence linking the suspects to the crime,” Stolte said.

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Both women were jailed on suspicion of "burglary and knowingly sending narcotics into a detention facility," the sergeant said.

Santamaria was released on $25,000 bond Aug. 30 from Robert Presley Detention Center, according to sheriff’s jail records.

Moreno was being held at a detention facility in Orange County on a separate offense with charges pending, according to Stolte.

The type of narcotics allegedly smuggled by the women was not immediately known.

Editor’s Notes: The outcome of these allegations, as well as the facts, may change as the case progresses through the legal system. Not all details of each investigation are made public. All items are alleged to have occurred. There should be no assumption of guilt.

A booking photo of Carolina Moreno was not available as of publication time.


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