A dramatic drug bust played out at O’Hare International Airport this week, with two California women nabbed in a high-stakes operation that yielded a staggering 22 kilos of what’s believed to be cocaine.
Authorities say the suspects touched down in the Windy City on Monday, only to find DEA agents waiting for them.
Nancy G. Ramos, 27, hailing from Huntington Park, and Vanessa A. Perez, 20, of Los Angeles, were tracked as they landed from L.A. Acting on a confidential tip, law enforcement paired up with a trusty K9 unit—whose nose led them straight to the alleged smugglers. After the dog signaled, Ramos agreed to let agents check her suitcase. Inside? Roughly 13 kilos of cocaine worth a fortune on the streets, according to officials.
Not far away, Perez was also singled out. She, too, gave the green light for a baggage inspection—where agents reportedly uncovered an additional 9 kilograms of the illicit substance tucked into her luggage. The two women now face heavyweight charges: drug trafficking and possession with intent to deliver, filed Friday by prosecutors with the Cook County State’s Attorney.
The successful sting was a joint effort between the Chicago branch of the DEA and the Hamilton/Boone County Drug Task Force. Images released by federal authorities show the massive haul seized during the January 5th airport operation. With the case still unfolding, investigators are tight-lipped on additional details.
All information provided stems from an official statement by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Chicago Field Division.
