Christopher Curi, Cocaine Smuggling, Texas 2016

New Jersey Man Sentenced for Smuggling Cocaine in Houston

A 30-year-old New Jersey man has been ordered to prison following his conviction of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Christopher Curi, of Totowa, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on January 14, 2016.

Today, U.S. District Judge Sim Lake ordered him to serve 70 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by four years of supervised release.

On February 21, 2015, Curi arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston aboard a United Airline flight from Lima, Peru. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers conducted an inspection of Curi’s checked baggage and discovered several gel-like figurines, packages of powdered condiments, a bottle of liquor and picture frames. The figurines emitted an unusual order and appeared to be cracking. The figurines ultimately field tested positive for cocaine.

The packages of condiments were opened and found to contain a white powder which also turned out to be cocaine. In addition, there was cocaine secreted inside the picture frames and the bottle of liquor.

Curi will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation along with CBP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart A. Burns prosecuted the case.

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