Clayton News Daily

A Maryland woman arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in January for trying to smuggle heroin into the U.S. was sentenced Wednesday to serve more than five years in federal prison.

Authorities say Zanada Moses, 25, of Baltimore, Md., arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson on Jan. 15 on a flight from Panama City, Panama, with more than two pounds of heroin, some of which was hidden inside her body. The drugs were discovered during a customs inspection.

Acting U.S. Attorney Sally Yates said Moses told authorities she was going to be paid $20,000 for transporting the drugs into the United States. Moses pleaded guilty to charges of importing heroin and possession of heroin with intent to distribute on April 28.

Moses was sentenced Wednesday to serve five years and three months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, authorities said. She was also ordered to undergo a drug treatment program.

"This defendant risked both her life and her liberty when she attempted to smuggle heroin into the United States in her body," Yates said. "Fortunately, the heroin she was carrying was safely recovered and her life was preserved, but she has lost her freedom as a result of her actions, and will now spend over five years in a federal prison."

- From Staff Reports