Video: Man Caught at LAX Smuggling 100,000 Worth of Cocaine in Candy Easter Eggs

Cops: Man Smuggled Cocaine in Candy Easter Eggs: MyFoxLA.com

Los Angeles - A Miami man who allegedly smuggled $100,000 worth of cocaine into Los Angeles International Airport by hiding the powder in candy Easter eggs must remain behind bars pending a hearing next month, a federal judge ruled today.


Esteban Galtes, 23, is charged with importation of a controlled substance. If convicted, he could face a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Galtes was taken into custody at LAX last Thursday night upon his return from Colombia. His luggage was searched by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, who allegedly discovered more than 14 pounds of cocaine stashed in pastel-colored, egg-shaped candies, as well as hidden underneath the cardboard bottom of a shopping bag.

Galtes appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John E. McDermott, who found that the defendant posed a flight risk and ordered him to remain in custody.

During the brief detention hearing, a defense attorney said friends of Galtes could put up unsecured bonds worth $90,000, but the judge rejected the offer.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Sheth said the cocaine recovered at LAX was packaged "in a very sophisticated manner," adding that "this isn't your typical importation case."

In arguing that Galtes remain behind bars, Sheth said the defendant has no ties to the Los Angeles area and few financial resources and had traveled to Colombia twice previously.

Galtes initially told officers the candy was for his two children, authorities said.

"Drug traffickers are always trying novel ways to conceal their contraband," said Carlos Martel, acting director of Los Angeles field operations for Customs and Border Protection.

"This smuggling attempt and interception should give notice to all persons involved in this illicit trade to think twice when attempting to smuggle cocaine or other prohibited drugs and items into LAX," he said.

Source: MyFox LA.com