Anyone who has a commute knows how long the drive can feel every morning. Most people are willing to do what they can to make the drive go faster, especially if that can get them through toll booths or checkpoints more quickly.

People who routinely drive into the United States for school or work are no different. Can you imagine the frustrations of having your car checked by border patrol every morning? People who routinely drive across the border are allowed to apply for a pass, which allows them to forego the car inspection each morning.

In order to receive the pass, the individuals must have a clean criminal record, and they must complete a rigorous test and interview. Unfortunately, many of the individuals who have been given passes became targets for the drug cartel. And many of those targets were arrested, imprisoned and convicted on drug charges.

Juan was one of those people. He was a husband and father who drove from his home in Mexico into Texas to go to school. His routine was predictable and consistent -- getting up, driving to school, driving home, doing homework and going to bed. Juan was fearful of the drug cartel, and he did what he could to stay away from places where they might be lurking.

Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. One morning, during Juan's commute, the border patrol pulled him over. When they searched Juan's car, they found two duffle bags full of marijuana in the trunk -- 50 pounds of drugs in total.

Juan insisted that he knew nothing about the drugs, but his pleas were futile. He was arrested, imprisoned and convicted for possession with intent to deliver marijuana.

Juan's lawyer filed an appeal, and Juan was eventually let out of prison before his sentence was up. Why did the judge change his mind, and how did the drugs get into Juan's car? Read more in our next post to find out.

Source: CNN, "'Blind mules' unknowingly ferry drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border," Emily Smith, Jan. 24, 2012