Man who brought drugs into LAX hidden in candy faces up to 40 years in prison [Updated]

A Miami man has pleaded guilty to smuggling drugs into Los Angeles International Airport hidden in candy, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

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.

[For the record, 11:17 a.m.: An earlier version of this post stated that Galtes was arrested in January. He was arrested in December.]

Galtes told authorities the candy was for his two children, officials said.

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.

Galtes was returning to the United States after a one-week trip to Colombia, authorities said.

He pleaded guilty to importing a controlled substance. He faces up to 40 years in prison, according to the U.S. attorney.

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Photo: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities said they intercepted a cache of cocaine hidden inside egg-shaped candy. Credit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Comments

[Jesus Salinas]

WOW THATS CRAZY,

[Joe]

The remainder of the cocaine was hidden under the cardboard bottom of a paper shopping bag, authorities said.

I bet this guy hides his wallet in his shoe when he goes to the beach.

[rafael granados]

i believe that this man should go to prison just for 20 years its not like if he killed someone.....its just my opinion.

[Piranha]

You mean the same excuse " the candies were for his 2 children" he gave at the airport in Colombia worked? or he must have bribed customs officials there.

[thecomingdepression]

Can you imagine 40 years for bringing in cocaine? Should have offered to pay the taxes on the 100,000 dust, sentence probably would have been cut in half.

[Hakatau]

It is insane that importing cocaine, an activity that by itself hurt no-one, garners a potentially greater prison sentence than rape, murder, or any number of violent crimes.

[BLUEWATER]

Good thing they got him before EASTER and HALLOWEEN!!!
Good thing he didnt get away and some kids accidently got ahold
of HIS CANDY OMG!

[Reinhart]

This a retarded. The mere fact that someone can go to jail for 40 years for smuggling a drug that people of our country willingly choose to use is absurd. Lets end the drug war now.

[Macca Doo]

Drug Dealers RUIN many many many lives. This is why in some countries they EXECUTE drug dealers . I agree, they should be EXECUTED. The misery they bring and the MONEY they cost to taxpayers is HUGE!

[David]

I think he still qualifies for the Dream Act.

[carlos]

abolish prohibition it has never worked, yet we expect a different outcome? is that insanity.

[carlos]

they are releasing violent murderous predators into society, while they are filling up prisons with non-violent drug offenders, blatant corruption.

[Johnny]

That's 40 years of taxpayers feeding, clothing and providing medical coverage for this man. He made a stupid mistake in search of money but he didn't kill someone . I would say give him 4-10 years in prison and keep our prisons open for the worst of the worst: child molesters, rapists, murderers, robbers and all other violent crimes. Drug trafficking is a simple supply and demand business. As long as there is a demand there will always be those willing to take the risk to supply. You have to stop the demand because those willing to supply will never end.

[Frank]

The CIA has brought tons and tons of cocaine into the US (you, taxpayer, paid for the planes, the salaries, and the coke) over the years and nothing ever happened to them. 60 minutes even did a piece on it. Go ahead and look it up.