ORLANDO, Fla. — A Kissimmee man flying into Orlando International Airport was arrested after authorities say they found drugs hidden in his luggage.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
The investigation began just before 2 p.m. Monday afternoon when investigators say 38-year-old Roman Batista arrived at OIA on a flight from Santo Domingo and was referred for a bag exam after claiming three pieces of luggage.
According to a federal criminal complaint filed in Orlando, an x-ray of one of Batista’s bags revealed “anomalies” in what appeared to be a JBL brand portable speaker.
READ: Shortage of garbage truck drivers leads to recycling items piling up in Altamonte Springs
According to the complaint, a Customs and Border Protection Officer examined the speaker and found it to be unusually heavy. After examining the speaker further, the officer noticed a side plate on the end of it appeared to have been previously removed.
Agents next noticed the speaker had no electronic components inside, but instead contained what appeared to be a taped package. CBPO agents stuck a clean metal probe into the speaker and noticed a white powdery substance on the probe when they removed it.
READ: 1 dead after crashing into construction equipment along SR-417, police say
That’s when the agents say they decided to open the speaker completely and found four separate packages filled with a powdery substance that tested positive for presumptive cocaine, weighing a total of 3.3 kilograms.
When questioned, investigators say Batista invoked his right to remain silent and refused to talk without a lawyer present.
READ: ULA gives update on development of new Vulcan Centaur rocket
He was taken into federal custody on charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and importation of controlled substances.
According to court documents, he’ll remain in custody until trial, but motions for conditions of release and a detention hearing could be filed at a later date.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group
