News Releases

ICE stops cocaine moving through Philadelphia International Airport

PHILADELPHIA - Janiqua Bueford and Wykeem Speach, both of Philadelphia, were charged in a three-count indictment on October 6 with conspiracy to import 500 grams or more of cocaine; conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; and possession with intent to distribute 1.65 kilograms of cocaine and aiding and abetting as a result of an investigation led by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The indictment alleges that between September 8, 2010, and September 15, 2010, Bueford and Speech conspired to import approximately 1.65 kilograms of cocaine into the United States from the British Virgin Islands concealing it in checked luggage aboard an American Airlines flight bound for Philadelphia International Airport on September 15, 2010.  The indictment alleges that Wykeem Speach purchased a roundtrip airline ticket for Janiqua Bueford enabling her to fly from Philadelphia to the British Virgin Islands, where she obtained the cocaine.  It is further alleged that Speach picked up Bueford upon her return to Philadelphia International Airport and placed the luggage Bueford was carrying in the trunk of the vehicle he was driving.

If convicted, Bueford faces a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison up to a statutory maximum term of 120 years, up to lifetime supervised release, and a $6 million fine.  Speach faces a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison up to a statutory maximum term of life, up to lifetime supervised release, and a $12 million fine.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph T. Labrum, III.