An airline employee at Dulles International Airport in Virginia has been charged with trying to move more than 4 pounds of cocaine and thousands of dollars through customs.
Jose Luis Castillo Rojas, a permanent U.S. resident and Peruvian national, arrived back in Dulles from Peru via way of Panama City, Panama, on April 24.
Mr. Rojas was selected for a secondary inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, who subsequently found bricks of cocaine, one of which was hidden inside a cake, weighing about 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds.) They also found $54,900 in cash in the lining of his bag, according to court documents cited by WTOP-FM.
Mr. Rojas protested his innocence at the scene, saying “Wow, that’s not me! I was bringing it in for a lady waiting outside the airport in the car,” according to court documents cited by WTTG-TV, adding that he had received the bag from another woman in Peru. He also told investigators that he previously made a similar delivery in March.
On his phone, investigators found messages indicating that Mr. Rojas would be paid $200 for a successful delivery.
Mr. Rojas faces charges of importing a controlled substance and remains in custody without bond, according to WTOP-FM.
