Karelys Colon Sevilla, a 29-year-old resident of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, was sentenced on Mar. 23 to 34 months in prison and five years of supervised release for transporting nearly 15 pounds of cocaine in her checked luggage on a commercial flight to Philadelphia, according to United States Attorney David Metcalf.
Colon Sevilla had been charged by indictment in May 2024 with one count of possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. She pleaded guilty in October last year before United States District Judge Kelley Brisbon Hodge.
According to court filings, Homeland Security Investigations received information on February 13, 2024, that Colon Sevilla was flying from Puerto Rico via Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, to Philadelphia International Airport and might be concealing narcotics in her checked bag. After confirming she was a ticketed passenger arriving at the airport, investigators obtained an anticipatory search warrant from the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas for her luggage. The warrant's execution depended on an alert from a police K-9.
After Colon Sevilla’s plane arrived at the airport, Pennsylvania State Police K-9 Ivan examined all checked luggage from the flight and alerted only on one blue-gray soft-sided bag labeled with Colon Sevilla’s name and flight details. Following this alert and under the search warrant authority, investigators opened the bag and found approximately 6.8 kilograms (about 15 pounds) of white powder later confirmed as cocaine.
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, and Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Eileen Castilla Geiger prosecuted the case.
This sentencing highlights ongoing efforts by federal and local law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking through air travel corridors.
