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Drug-Hunting Feds Crack Egg Smuggling Plan In LA

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal authorities say a Miami man has been arrested at Los Angeles International Airport while trying to smuggle cocaine concealed inside phony Easter eggs.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said Monday that 23-year-old Esteban Galtes was arrested Thursday night after officers searched his luggage and found more than 14 pounds of cocaine, much of it camouflaged as egg-shaped candies. He had been returning from a weeklong trip to Colombia.

The rest of the stash allegedly was hidden in a paper shopping bag. Galtes allegedly claimed the eggs were for his two children.

Galtes is being held for investigation of importation of a controlled substance.

ICE did not immediately know if Galtes had a lawyer. His first court appearance was scheduled Monday afternoon.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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