Women charged with having 48 pounds of cocaine in their luggage at O’Hare, feds say

California Women Caught Transporting Suspected Cocaine Through Chicago O’Hare Airport

Two California women have found themselves in legal trouble after being apprehended for allegedly transporting significant amounts of suspected cocaine through Chicago O’Hare International Airport earlier this week.

The Drug Enforcement Administration initiated an investigation following intelligence that led agents to monitor flights arriving from Los Angeles.

On January 5, 2026, Nancy Ramos, 20, from Huntington Park, California, was identified by DEA personnel upon her arrival at O’Hare Airport.

Authorities stated that Ramos consented to a search of her checked luggage after a narcotics detection dog indicated the presence of possible drugs. Subsequently, officers discovered approximately 13 kilograms, equating to nearly 29 pounds, of suspected cocaine concealed in her bags.

Vanessa Perez, 27, from Los Angeles, was also located by agents upon her arrival at O’Hare. A search of her checked luggage reportedly unveiled an additional nine kilograms, almost 20 pounds, of suspected cocaine.

Both individuals have been charged in state court with the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, as well as possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Judge Shauna Boliker denied a detention request for Ramos and ordered her release on electronic monitoring. Prosecutors did not seek detention for Perez, and Judge Antara Rivera released her pending trial.

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