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  4. CBP at JFK Seizes Cocaine in Sneakers

CBP at JFK Seizes Cocaine in Sneakers

Release Date
Wed, 04/22/2015

JAMAICA, N.Y. — An arriving passenger at John F. Kennedy International Airport tried to ‘sneak’ past U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers, but was stopped in his tracks.

On April 7, CBP officers stopped Mr. Thenga Adams who arrived on a flight from Georgetown, Guyana.  During the course of the inspection, CBP officers discovered running shoes in his luggage that contained a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine.

Mr. Adams 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 2 lbs.  The DEA estimates the street value to be $30,000.

“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.

Mr. Adams 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. 

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021