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CBP at JFK Seizes Cocaine and Heroin inside Aircraft

Release Date
Mon, 05/11/2015

U. S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Catch Cocaine & Heroin inside Two Aircraft

JAMAICA, N.Y. — U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers effected two seizures of narcotics during routine aircraft searches.

On May 8, CBP officers at John F. Kennedy International Airport conducted an aircraft search on a flight arriving from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  CBP officers were conducting an enforcement examination of the arriving aircraft when CBP K-9 “Ari” alerted positive to the presence of narcotics in the aft left side lavatory area.  Upon removing the panel they discovered five brick shaped packages that were tested positive for heroin.

An approximate weight of 12 lbs. of heroin was seized; the estimated street value for this seizure is $319,000.

Two days later on May 10, CBP officers at John F. Kennedy International Airport conducted an aircraft search on another flight arriving from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, based on the previous seizure. CBP officers searched the aircraft cabin and discovered five brick shaped objects concealed behind the toilet shroud in the aft right side lavatory. CBP officers probed all five bricks and they tested positive for cocaine and heroin.

Approximately 5 lbs. of cocaine and 7 lbs. of heroin was seized; with an estimated street value of $281,000.

“CBP officers stand on the front line to ensure that these illicit narcotics are seized prior to entering this country,” said Robert E. Perez, Director, Field Operations New York.

No arrests have been made at this time and the investigation is ongoing.

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