Orlando, Florida - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces the arrest of Rafael Eduardo Quinonez Jimenez (45, Guatemala) on a criminal complaint, charging him with possession with the intent to distribute more than 1 kilogram of heroin. If convicted, Quinonez Jimenez faces a minimum penalty of ten years, up to life in federal prison.

On March 2, 2012, Quinonez Jimenez arrived at the Orlando International Airport from a flight originating in Guatemala City, Guatemala. According to the criminal complaint, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers were conducting a secondary inspection when officers discovered numerous bags of what appeared to be candy. The packages contained 172 lollipops located within Quinonez Jimenez’s luggage. The lollipops had a candy shell. Beneath each candy shell was a large ball of heroin. The total heroin contained in the 172 lollipops was approximately 3,233 grams (3.2 kilograms).

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher LaForgia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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