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CBP at JFK ‘Bags’ Smuggler

Release Date
Tue, 05/03/2016

Officers seize Cocaine from Passenger in Computer Bag and Pellets in a Sock

JAMAICA, N.Y. — A traveler had more than a laptop in his computer bag when he arrived at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.  Fortunately U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers were ‘on-line’ to firewall his plans.

CBP at JFK Seizes Pellets of Cocaine from Body Carry

CBP at JFK Seizes Pellets of Cocaine from Body Carry

On April 29, CBP officers intercepted passenger Mr. Angelo Fernandez, a United States citizen, arriving from Santiago, Dominican Republic.  During his examination, CBP officers noticed that the inside panels of the computer bag felt unusually thick and the bag was heavier than normal when empty.  Mr. Fernandez was escorted to a private search room where CBP officers conducted a personal search and a rigid object was felt in the subject’s groin area producing a sock containing 100 pellets.  CBP officers probed the pellets producing a white powder that tested positive for cocaine.  Additionally, his carry-on computer bag was probed revealing a white powder that also tested positive for cocaine.

CBP at JFK ‘Bags’ Smuggler

CBP at JFK ‘Bags’ Smuggler

Mr. Fernandez was arrested for the importation of a controlled substance and was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.  The total weight of cocaine seized was approximately 9 lbs. with an approximate street value of $160,000.

“This seizure demonstrates the vigilance and dedication demonstrated daily by CBP officers at JFK, in keeping these prohibited and dangerous narcotics off the streets of our communities,” said Robert E. Perez, Director, Field Operations in New York for CBP.

He now faces federal narcotics smuggling charges and will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the U.S. Eastern District Court of New York.

All defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021