Gildo Ricci, Cocaine Trafficking, Virginia 2024

A federal jury in Alexandria, Virginia, has convicted a Rockville, Maryland, man of possession with intent to distribute cocaine after a remarkable discovery at Dulles International Airport.

Gildo Ricci, 69, a citizen of Peru and a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States, arrived at Dulles International Airport on April 25, 2024, on a flight from Bogota, Colombia.

Ricci was referred for a secondary inspection at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) area, where officers found several desserts and other food items. After applying pressure to one of the items, it emitted a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine hydrochloride.

Further investigation revealed that a cake was unusually heavy and, upon probing with a knife, the knife failed to penetrate the cake. The officer began to remove the top layer of the cake and discovered a foil-wrapped brick inside. Each cake contained cocaine hydrochloride. Soup mix packets also contained cocaine hydrochloride.

CBP officers found a total of 2.07 kilograms of cocaine in Ricci’s assorted food and dessert items. Additionally, within one of Ricci’s suitcases was a child's backpack containing $7,750, which was later determined to be counterfeit.

Ricci faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on April 25. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/federal-jury-convicts-man-who-flew-bogota-dulles-over-two-kilograms-cocaine