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.
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