New York: Authorities say a lost-luggage delivery driver ran an Ecuador-to-New York drug smuggling ring that stuffed cocaine into pastries and hid heroin in chocolate candies.
Jorge Guerrero, his wife and four others pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and other charges yesterday in a Manhattan court.
The city Special Narcotics Prosecutor's office and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the arrests.
They say the 39-year-old Guerrero and the others arranged to ship innocent-looking but drug-laden packages on cargo planes.
They went from Guayaquil, Ecuador, to New York's Kennedy Airport.
Authorities say the packages went to various parcel-delivery companies, where the conspirators picked them up.
Guerrero also is charged with using his luggage-delivery job to steal jewellery and other valuables from passengers' bags.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, August 08, 2012, 10:50