An employee at Dulles International Airport has been accused of attempting to smuggle loads of cash and drugs through customs last week.
Authorities say Jose Luis Castillo Rojas, a Peruvian citizen who is a lawful permanent resident of the United States, arrived at Dulles International Airport on April 24 on a flight originating from Peru through Panama City, Panama.
Castillo Rojas, described in court documents as an airline employee accused, was selected by Customs and Border Protection for a secondary inspection.
During the inspection, agents discovered several bricks of cocaine. One brick was reportedly concealed inside a cake. The total amount of cocaine found was approximately 2 kilograms.
Agents also located a substantial amount of cash in his bag. Court documents indicate $54,900 was found in a concealment cavity within the floor lining of the bag.
Following the discovery, Castillo Rojas told agents that the bag was not his and that he was bringing it in for someone waiting outside the airport.
He later admitted to officers that he obtained the bag from a female in Peru and stated he had conducted a similar delivery of items in March.
Investigators reviewed data from Castillo Rojas's phone and found communications discussing a $200 payment for delivering the bag to the United States.
The incident follows other recent events drawing attention at the airport, including a marijuana smuggling attempt, an assault on a flight, and questions about bag tracking.
Castillo Rojas is currently held without bond and faces a charge for importing a controlled substance. Authorities stated he remained in custody in Alexandria as of Friday night.