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CBP at JFK Seizes Cocaine in Backpack

Release Date
Fri, 04/24/2015

U. S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Catch Cocaine inside Backpack

JAMAICA, N.Y. — U. S. Customs and Border Protection Officers ‘bagged’ an arriving passenger at John F. Kennedy International Airport for the illegal importation of cocaine into the United States.

Backpack with cocaine hidden inside

CBP at JFK seizes cocaine in backpack

On April 9, CBP officers stopped Ms. Segunda De La Rosa, a United States citizen, who was arriving on a flight from Santiago, Dominican Republic.  During the course of the inspection, CBP officers noticed that her backpack was unusually thick and heavy.  The officers probed the panels of the backpack producing a white powder that tested positive for cocaine.  Ms. De La Rosa 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 5 lbs. with an estimated street value of $88,000.

“This latest seizure demonstrates the vigilance of our CBP officers, and their excellence in detecting those who would try to smuggle these illegal substances,” said Robert E. Perez, Director, Field Operations New York.

Ms. De La Rosa 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 until proven guilty.

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