Two women arrested after nearly 50 pounds of suspected cocaine found in luggage at O’Hare

Two women are facing charges after nearly 50 pounds of suspected cocaine was found in their checked luggage at O’Hare by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration officers in early January.

Vanessa Perez, a 27-year-old woman from Los Angeles, and Nancy Ramos, a 20-year-old woman from Huntington Park, Calif., were arrested after traveling to O’Hare Airport from California on January 5, Todd C. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Chicago Field Division announced Friday.

Following an intelligence lead, DEA officers identified and located Ramos as she arrived at O’Hare on January 5. She gave consent for officers to search her checked luggage after a positive canine sniff. Approximately 28 pounds of suspected cocaine was found inside her bag by authorities.

DEA personnel also identified and located Perez in the airport, who also consented to her checked luggage being searched. Inside it, officers found an additional near 20 pounds of suspected cocaine, authorities said.

Both are facing charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and controlled substances trafficking, authorities said.

No additional information was immediately available.