Woman admits to smuggling drugs concealed in her wedge heels

PHILADELPHIA – A Camden woman pleaded guilty Friday to attempting to smuggle approximately two kilograms of cocaine into the United States following an investigation by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Philadelphia Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Iveliza Perez, 25, was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of cocaine. She is scheduled to be sentenced May 23. Perez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison with a maximum potential sentence of 40 years.

According to case records, Perez was approached in May 2013, by two individuals soliciting her participation in a cocaine smuggling operation. Perez accepted $500 before travel and was promised between $3,000 and $4,000 upon successful delivery of the drugs into the United States.

Her co-conspirators paid for her flight and Jamaican lodging, and arranged for her bags to be packed with three pairs of wedge heels, altered to conceal narcotics.

Perez was caught with 1.992 kilograms of cocaine upon her entry into the United States.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J.D. Hogan.