Woman arrested at O'Hare with cocaine in wheelchair, officials say

Woman arrested at O'Hare with cocaine in wheelchair: officials
Elaine Perez-Pena, who was returning from Brazil, was arrested with more then 30 pounds of cocaine at Chicago O'Hare Airport, officials said.
ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Wednesday, January 29, 2025

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A woman who was returning from Brazil was arrested with cocaine at O'Hare, officials said.

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The arrest happened on Saturday night, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Elaine Perez-Pena, who is a U.S. citizen, was returning from Brazil with a suitcase and an electric wheelchair.

After further inspection, officers found 14 packages of cocaine inside the wheelchair seat cushions, CPD said.

Officials said the packages weighed about 31 pounds. Perez-Pena now faces federal charges.

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