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Woman faces charges she smuggled cocaine in 'diaper'

Posted by Martin Finucane  March 28, 2011 01:12 PM
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cocaine_diaper_032811.jpg

Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff


Morla-Ramos at her arraignment today in East Boston District Court.

By Milton J. Valencia and Martin Finucane, Globe Staff

A 22-year-old woman was ordered held on $250,000 cash bail today at her arraignment in East Boston District Court on cocaine trafficking charges after she allegedly flew into Logan International Airport with more than a kilogram of the drug concealed in what authorities said was a "diaper-like" garment.

Karen Morla-Ramos of East Boston disembarked from a JetBlue flight from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, at about 7:25 a.m. Sunday, State Police said in a statement.

While she was being questioned by US Customs Service and Border Protection officers, officers grew suspicious and decided to conduct a pat-down search. The search revealed a "powdery substance concealed in a diaper-like garment" she was wearing under her outer clothing, State Police said.

She was arrested by the Customs Service officers. Members of a joint State Police-federal task force that investigates drug trafficking at the airport then interviewed her.

Morla-Ramos's attorney, Rochelle Burgos, said, "We are aware that people like Ms. Morla-Ramos are perfect targets for drug traffickers."

"She's a mule, they preyed on her, and she acted. She was afraid, and she acted," Burgos said.

The case was continued to April 21.

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On the beat

Reporter Milton J. Valencia is covering the federal appeals court ruling striking down the Defense of Marriage Act.
Milton J. Valencia
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