JAMAICA, N.Y. —Often times a smuggler will try various concealment methods simultaneously; U. S. Customs and Border Protection Officers at John F. Kennedy International Airport recently made that discovery.
On July 13, Ms. Taneshia Walker, a citizen of the United States, arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport from Montego Bay, Jamaica. During the examination of Walker’s suitcase, CBP officers noticed that the handle rails were not operating properly.
The passenger was escorted to a private search room where CBP officers searched her baggage. CBP officers probed one of the rails revealing a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine.
CBP officers conducted a personal search revealing an oval-shaped object wrapped in latex concealed in her groin area within her underwear. CBP officers probed the oval-shaped object revealing a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine.
In total approximately 1.7 lbs. of cocaine was seized, 1.2 lbs. in the luggage rails and .5 lbs. within her underwear, with an approximate street value of more than $30,000.
“CBP remains ever vigilant in protecting the United States from the distribution of these dangerous drugs, our officers are constantly adapting to various concealment methods employed by these smugglers,” said Robert E. Perez, Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations.
CBP officers placed the passenger under arrest and turned her over to Homeland Security Investigations. She 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.