A Peruvian woman admitted Thursday to smuggling a large amount of cocaine from Peru to Newark, concealed within wrapped chocolate candy inside her luggage.
Yolanda Fonseca-Melgarejo, 59, who is a legal permanent resident of the United States and a citizen of Peru, pleaded guilty to one count of importation of controlled substances before a Newark Federal Court Thursday.
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WATCH HEREAccording to the Department of Justice, Fonseca-Melgarejo arrived at Newark International Airport in a flight from Peru on March 31, 2019. Upon arrival, officers discovered approximately seven kilograms of cocaine concealed in wrapped chocolate candy inside her luggage.
Fonseca-Melgarejo now faces a minimum of 10 years to life in prison as well as a fine of up to $10 million dollars for her crime, said the Department of Justice.
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SIGN UP Her sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 14, 2021.
