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  4. Atlanta CBP Arrests Woman, Seized Cocaine in Jackets, Purses and Llama Skins.

Atlanta CBP Arrests Woman, Seized Cocaine in Jackets, Purses and Llama Skins.

Release Date
Tue, 04/19/2016

ATLANTA -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) arrested a woman and seized nearly 15 pounds of cocaine on Sunday.

Cocaine concealed in purses, jackets, and llama skins Atlanta airport
Cocaine concealed in purses, jackets,
and llama skins Atlanta airport

The female passenger, a U.S. citizen, arrived from Lima, Peru and was referred to a secondary examination. During her secondary inspection, CBP officers and Agriculture Specialist examined the baggage contents and discovered a white powdery substance concealed in purses, jackets, and llama skins. That substance field-tested positive for cocaine.

The cocaine weighed a total of 14.44 pounds, and had a street value of approximately $450,000. CBP turned the individual over to Clayton County Police officers for local prosecution. “This cocaine seizure is an excellent example of the persistence displayed by our Customs and Border Protection Officers and Agriculture Specialist to detect unique concealment methods, and to intercept dangerous drugs at our nation’s ports of entry, “ said Devin Chamberlain, CBP’s Acting Port Director for the Port of Atlanta. “Narcotics interdiction remains a priority CBP enforcement mission, one that we take very seriously.” Criminal charges are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

CBP conducts operations at ports of entry throughout the United States, and regularly screens arriving international passengers and cargo for narcotics, weapons, and other restricted or prohibited products. CBP seized 9,435 pounds of drugs on a typical day during fiscal year 2015.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021