Man busted smuggling cocaine inside Easter eggs

Authorities said an alleged cocaine smuggler raised suspicions at Los Angeles International Airport by hiding the drug in candy containers designed for Easter.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman said officers at the airport became suspicious of Esteban Galtes, 23, of Miami, who was returning from a trip to Columbia, because he was carrying Easter eggs two days before Christmas, CNN reported Tuesday.

Customs spokeswoman Lee Harty said investigators found 14 pounds of cocaine in the eggs.

“That’s certainly an anomaly, isn’t it? They’re trained to detect anomalies in all kinds of situations,” Harty said. “It’s an unusual concealment method — at least for this time of year. Maybe not for spring.”

Galtes was charged with importation of a controlled substance, which authorities said carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Source: UPI