2 Arrested at Airport on Drug Charges

Two men were arrested this week on drug-related charges after trying to pass security at Burbank Airport with about $350,000 worth of cocaine, Burbank police said.

Humberto Alvarez, 23, of Sepulveda and Enrique Magdaleno, 23, of Sylmar had about nine pounds of cocaine hidden under their clothes and in a suitcase, police said.

Authorities began searching Alvarez about 6 p.m. Monday after he tried to pass a security checkpoint and set off an alarm, police said. A security guard discovered more than five pounds of cocaine under the front of Alvarez’s shirt and tucked in the back of his pants, police said.

Magdaleno was in line to be searched as well, but ran when Alvarez set off the alarm, police said. Police later discovered Magdaleno hiding in a nearby bathroom holding a brown suitcase. After obtaining his permission to open the suitcase, police found another four pounds of cocaine, officers said.

Police said they did not know where the two were headed. They were being held in Burbank Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail each. Arraignment was scheduled today in Burbank Municipal Court.