The Department of Justice of the United States accused a criminal network that sent cocaine from Costa Rica hidden in Tico products. They are also accused of money laundering.
Drug shipments were made through airports and mainly canned products. In addition, they allegedly used crafts.
These defendants allegedly imported dozens of cocaine shipments of several kilograms into food cans through various airports in the United States, including Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and Charlotte, Raleigh and Miami airports,”
said US Attorney Byung J. Pak.
The suspects are named Blair, Arias, Newton, Barros, Cuyugan, Vernon, Rosa and Kelleher.
The official explained that Blair allegedly organized groups of people to travel to Costa Rica from Atlanta. Subsequently, in Costa Rica he gave each member four kilos of cocaine hidden in sealed food cans and hidden inside the checked luggage of travelers.
Later, the foreigners returned to the United States and delivered the cans to Blair, who distributed them in Atlanta, Charlotte and Boston.
The US police documented more than 90 trips and it is estimated that they imported more than 375 kilos of cocaine to the United States.
The case was investigated by the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement National Security, the DEA, Customs and Border Protection and the Atlanta Police.
Robert Murphy, from the Drug Control Agency (DEA) highlighted the joint work done by federal, state and local authorities to uncover the case.