Date: 07-25-2024

Case Style:

United States of America v. Karina Cintron Santiago

Case Number: 3:23-cr-00110

Judge: Sarala V. Nagala

Court: The United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (New Haven County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in New Haven

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

New Haven, Connecticut criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Trafficking Cocaine into Connecticut
Drug Mule Sentenced to 16 Months in Federal Prison for Trafficking Cocaine into Connecticut

On June 4, 2023, a search of a luggage bag that Santiago checked prior to boarding a JetBlue flight from San Juan Airport to Karina Cintron Santiago Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, revealed approximately 12 kilograms of cocaine. When Santiago arrived in Connecticut and discovered that her bag was not at baggage claim, she reported it lost. JetBlue personnel informed Santiago that when her bag was located they would deliver it to her, but she indicated that she would rather pick it up at the airport. On June 7, 2023, undercover investigators posing as JetBlue personnel contacted Santiago to inform her that her bag had been located and would be arriving on a flight to Bradley International Airport the next day.

On June 8, 2023, investigators placed Santiago’s bag, which contained its original contents, on a luggage carousel at Bradley International Airport. Cintron Santiago was arrested after she arrived at the airport and removed her bag from the luggage carousel.

On January 16, 2024, Santiago pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Santiago, who is released on a $75,000 bond, is required to report to prison on September 23.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean P. Mahard and Geoffrey M. Stone.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 16 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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