A federal grand jury has indicted a New York woman for allegedly smuggling over eight kilograms of cocaine on a commercial flight from the Dominican Republic to Boston Logan International Airport using duty-free beer crates.
According to a press release from the Massachusetts Department of Justice, Stacey Medina Guzman, 24, of Corona, New York, was charged with one count of importing five kilograms or more of cocaine, one count of possessing five kilograms or more of cocaine, and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
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According to court documents, Medina Guzman landed at Boston Logan International Airport on a JetBlue flight from Punta Cana on the evening of February 4th. When US Customs and Border Protection stopped Medina Guzman at the airport’s Port of Entry for international flights, he was allegedly carrying a duty-free backpack containing two boxes of Chivas Regal alcoholic beverages. A Border Patrol K-9 checking the duty-free bag alerted agents to the presence of narcotics.
A search of the bag allegedly found that the two cartons labeled Chivas Regal alcohol had been resealed with adhesive. When opened, the boxes allegedly contained 12 bricks of cocaine weighing about eight kilograms.
The crime of importing five kilograms or more of cocaine carries a minimum term of ten years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million. Possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine carries a minimum term of ten years to life in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to ten million dollars. The accusation of conspiracy to distribute and possess controlled narcotics carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, along with five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. A federal district court judge imposes sentences based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the legislation that governs sentence determination in criminal cases.
United States Attorney Leah Foley and Michael Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, made the announcement. The Massachusetts State Police gave valuable support. Assistant United States Attorneys Colin Missett and Lauren Graber from the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The details in the charge filings represent allegations against the defendant. A defendant is deemed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
