A man was arrested by US Customs Officials for attempting to cross the U.S./Mexico border with 2 pounds of heroin stuffed into a girdle. Drug trafficking at a U.S. border is a Federal Crime. 1 Kilo of a substance containing heroin (2.2 pounds) carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in under the federal sentencing guidelines. 100 grams or more of a substance containing heroin carries a mandatory minimum of 5 years and maximum of 40 years. These are very serious charges. There are a few exceptions to the application of the mandatory minimum in these cases. It is also extremely rare that bail is granted in these cases because of the mandatory minimums. That is why anyone facing drug trafficking charges should be represented by an experienced federal criminal defense attorney.