Man Accused of Smuggling Cocaine in Soup Packets

By Kamika Dunlap on June 23, 2010 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Apparently authorities at Dulles International Airport are familiar with creative drug smugglers and were unphazed when a man accused smuggling cocaine in soup packets was arrested.

Jose Acevedo, a 41-year-old from Carlisle, Pa, was arrested after a drug-sniffing dog picked up a scent of cocaine hidden in dry soup packages, the Washington Examiner reports.

Jose Acevedo was trying to enter the country at the Dulles International Airport from a trip to El Salvador. Authorities were alerted to the cocaine in the dry soup packets after the dog's barking.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol spokesman Steve Sapp, the drugs had a street value of about $140,000.

Jose Acevedo was arrested on drug-trafficking charges.

In general, drug distribution/trafficking laws penalize the selling, transportation, and illegal import into the United States of unlawful controlled substances such as marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD, "club drugs," and heroin.

Federal and state drug distribution/trafficking laws and punishments vary according to drug type, amount, geographic area of distribution, and whether minors were sold to or targeted. Drug distribution/trafficking laws can implicate a single individual or a broad ring of people involved in organized illegal drug activity.

In this case, Jose Acevedo was caught with four pounds, five ounces of cocaine from the soup packages.

Authorities said this isn't the first time drug smugglers have attempted to use soup packets.

In 2009, Jorge Luis Posada Guevara was caught carrying 16 pounds of cocaine hidden in soup packets at the airport. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

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