May 26, 2026 – LAS VEGAS, NV – A 19-year-old southern California man pled guilty on Monday, May Gavel18 to importation and possession with intent to distribute more than 70 pounds of ketamine that was discovered in his luggage.

Image by Ray Shrewsberry • Ray_Shrewsberry from Pixabay 

According to court documents, on or about September 29, 2025, Nehemiah Bayonne arrived at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, from London, England. After deboarding the airplane, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer referred Bayonne to Customs for a baggage inspection. During the inspection of Bayonne’s two bags, CBP officers found a total of 32 “bricks” of ketamine – 16 bricks in each bag. The approximate total weight of ketamine was 32.8kg (72.3 lbs). Ketamine is a schedule III controlled substance.

According to the DEA, Ketamine, commonly known on the street as Special K, is a dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects. It distorts perceptions of sight and sound and makes the user feel disconnected and not in control.

Bayonne pleaded guilty to one count of importation of a controlled substance and one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva set sentencing for August 24, 2026. The maximum statutory penalty is 20 years in prison, a period of supervised release, a fine, and a mandatory special assessment.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.

HSI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Federal Air Marshal Service investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Brenna Bush is prosecuting the case.

Source: DOJ Release