LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A 19-year-old southern California man pleaded guilty Monday to importation and possession with intent to distribute more than 70 pounds of ketamine discovered in his luggage.
Nehemiah Bayonne arrived at Harry Reid International Airport on Sept. 29, 2025, from London, England. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer referred Bayonne to Customs for a baggage inspection after he deboarded the airplane.
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 32.8 kilograms, or 72.3 pounds. Ketamine is a schedule III controlled substance.
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 Aug. 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 made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations, 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.
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