Yanira Maldonado, Arizona Mormon Mother of 7 Jailed in Mexico: Stopped by Authorities, Her Family Denies All Pot Smuggling Charges, Says She Was 'Framed' (Video)

Yanira Maldonado, an Arizona mother of 7 is being held in a Mexican jail, allegedly for trying to smuggle marijuana back into the U.S last week. Her family tells Fox News and CNN that the allegations are completely bogus.

Upon her bus trip home from Mexico where she went for a funeral, Mexican military authorities conducted a search. She was detained and sent to jail on charges that she was trying to smuggle about 12 pounds of marijuana back into the United States.

"It's about getting money here," Maldonado's husband Gary said.

On Tuesday, Maldonado has a court hearing, in which she may find out whether she will go free or remain jailed until a trial, CNN reported.

During the search of their bus at a military checkpoint on their way home to Arizona, Mexican authorities asked everyone to get off. Authorities initially told Maldonado that marijuana was found under his seat and was arrested. But when his father contacted the U.S. Consulate in Mexico, authorities conceded they were mistaken, and released Gary. But, soon thereafter,they charged his wife Yannira.

Her husband believes that Mexican soldiers merely want a bribe. "From what I hear, that's regular occurrence," he said. He was also told that regardless of whether his wife will be found guilty or innocent, he would have to pay $5,000 to secure her freedom, the family said. 

Arizona Senator Flake is monitoring the Maldonado case, according to his office.

"Senator Flake is personally monitoring the situation, and he has had multiple conversations with the deputy Mexican ambassador this weekend," Flake's office said.

At Tuesday's hearing, the judge will decide whether to release her, or hold her in custody for four months until a trial.

On Saturday, Maldonado's daughter, Anna Soto, said she visited her mother in jail.

"I broke down in tears, but she just told me that she was going to get out," Soto said Monday in an emotional interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer.

"She wanted to tell my brothers and sisters that she loved them very much. My biggest fear is that I will never get to see her again. She's innocent," Soto added. "She's an honest good woman. A Christian woman that would never do anything to jeopardize her freedom."

Tags

Drug Smuggling, Border Protection, "Bogus Charges", Yannira Maldonado

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