Man accused of ‘artfully’ attempting to smuggle illegal items to Ecuador from Charlotte airport
Found with 35lbs of cheese during another inspection
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - A man was accused last month of trying to smuggle illegal items from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to Ecuador.
According to an affidavit filed on Friday, April 11, Galo Dario Rojas-Noblecilla, was arrested on Tuesday, March 11, at Charlotte airport for carrying a concealed weapon.
Documents stated that Rojas-Noblecilla attempted to take American Airlines Flight 1748 from Charlotte to Miami with a checked bag that had a gun and “artfully” concealed firearm parts.
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After a routine baggage screening revealed a gun in the bag, a TSA supervisor did a physical inspection, which uncovered the following items:
- Fully functional FN 5.7mm lower receiver
- 2 upper slides
- 1 empty magazine
Reports stated each part was wrapped in saran wrap, aluminum foil, and bed sheeting, before being placed inside a plastic package.
Officials noted that after arriving in Miami, Rojas-Noblecilla was supposed to transfer flights and continue to Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Investigation launched
Amid the arrest at Charlotte airport, an investigation was launched. Authorities began by interviewing Rojas-Noblecilla’s mother.
During that interview, his mom allegedly told law enforcement that Rojas-Noblecilla was carrying the bag for another person in Ecuador, who would pay him $250 per bag he sent to and from the country.
Officials said his mother explained that Rojas-Noblecilla had transported “many” bags over the last few months.
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After interviewing Rojas-Noblecilla’s mother, authorities found and interviewed the woman who reportedly paid her son to send the bags.
That woman said Rojas-Noblecilla had taken bags for her about six times before the Charlotte incident.
Furthermore, reports stated the woman told law enforcement that Rojas-Noblecilla was not the only person transporting bags for her. She said his mother and other family members did so for her in the past.
Documents stated the woman admitted packing the bags and paying Rojas-Noblecilla’s wife and mother $250.
More airport encounters
On Friday, March 14, Customs and Border Protection was called for assistance on previous encounters with Rojas-Noblecilla.
An investigation uncovered that on Nov. 1, 2024, Rojas-Noblecilla was accused of carrying drugs on JetBlue Flight 1770 from Ecuador to John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Reports stated that Rojas-Noblecilla had two suitcases “filled with prescription required medications and two other medications that are classified as controlled substances by the DEA.”
The prescription medications included:
- 38 pills of Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride
- 32 vials of Lidocaine Hydrochloride
- 8 pills of Pseudoephedrine Sulfate
The controlled substances included:
- 10 pills of Tramadol
- 40 pills of Zopiclone
Authorities advised Rojas-Noblecilla did not have any prescription paperwork for the drugs.
Additionally, Rojas-Noblecilla was inspected by Customs and Border Protection during his March 7, 2025 entry at Fort Lauderdale Airport, and was found with about 35 pounds of cheese.
It wasn’t immediately clear if any other arrests or charges were made in the investigation.
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