Man Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Cocaine into LAX

Esteban Galtes, 23, was arrested in December at LAX after federal agents searched his luggage and discovered more than 14 pounds of cocaine, much of it hidden in pastel-colored, egg-shaped candy.  Galtes was returning to the United States after a one-week trip to Colombia and told authorities the candy was for his two children.

The remainder of the cocaine was hidden under the cardboard bottom of a paper shopping bag, authorities said. The seized cocaine has an estimated street value of more than $100,000.

He recently plead guilty in Federal Court to Importing a Controlled Substance.  If convicted, he faces up to 40 years in Federal prison.

If you, or someone you know has been charged with Importing a Controlled Substance, Federal Drug Trafficking or any other Federal Drug Crime contact  Los Angeles Defense Attorney Robert M. Bernstein for a free consultation today.