A Rockville man has been convicted this week on drug trafficking charges after attempting to smuggle over 4.5 pounds of cocaine hidden inside desserts and soup mix packets at Washington Dulles International Airport.
Gildo Ricci, 69, a lawful permanent U.S. resident from Peru, was found guilty of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute it within the United States, according to a release from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Smuggling Operation Foiled at Dulles Airport
Ricci arrived at Dulles on a flight from Bogota, Colombia, on April 25 and was selected for secondary inspection by Customs and Border Protection agents. While inspecting his baggage, agents discovered several food items, including a cake and soup mix packets.
The cake appeared unusually heavy, prompting an agent to cut into it. The agent was unable to penetrate the cake, leading to a closer inspection. Inside, agents found a foil-wrapped brick of cocaine. Upon further examination, they discovered that other cakes and soup mix packets also contained cocaine, totaling 2.07 kilograms (approximately 4.56 pounds) of the drug.
Counterfeit Bills Found in Ricci’s Possession
In addition to the drugs, Ricci’s suitcase contained a backpack with $7,750 in counterfeit bills.
Ricci Faces Significant Prison Time
Following his conviction, Ricci is set to be sentenced on April 25. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for his involvement in drug trafficking and smuggling activities.
