Heroin disguised as lollipops seized at Florida airport

Rafael Quinonez Jimenez is accused of smuggling 3.2 kilograms of heroin disguised as lollipops.

(SEMINOLE COUNTY JAIL / March 6, 2012)

More than 3.2 kilograms of heroin was found disguised as candy inside a man's luggage at Orlando International Airport Friday.

Rafael Eduardo Quinonez Jimenez, 45, was arrested Friday at OIA shortly after he arrived on a TACA Airlines flight from San Salvador, El Salvador. The flight originated in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Customs officials noticed Quinonez Jimenez appeared "very nervous and was sweating profusely" and referred him to a secondary check. That's when officials discovered 172 lollipops packed inside a duffel bag.

Each "lollipop" containted18.8 grams of heroin, totaling 3.2 kilograms of the illegal drug, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court.

Quinonez Jimenez told Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials he was given the duffel bag by a man at a gas station in Guatemala City earlier that morning, along with a plane ticket, hotel booking information and $500.

Quinonez Jimenez claimed he didn't know who he was supposed to deliver the drugs to in Orlando because he was supposed to receive a phone call, according to the complaint.

He was booked into the Seminole County jail where he is being held without bond.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com