Jamaica, N.Y. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers at John F. Kennedy International Airport Monday, with the aid of a detector dog, were able to prevent heroin from being smuggled into the country in hollowed wooden clothes hangers.
The shipment arrived from Ghaziabad, India and was destined for Detroit. Detector dog "Ramchez" alerted to the shipment as possibly containing narcotics. The shipment was manifested as "garment samples personal."
Upon examining the contents, several wooden hangers were found. The hangers were probed and found to contain a white powdery substance. The substance tested positive for heroin. A total of more than three pounds of heroin was seized with a street value of almost $56,000.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Detroit is pursuing an investigation on the consignee of this shipment.
"CBP's frontline officers and canine teams at JFK Airport continue to conduct great enforcement operations. This seizure is an example of their assiduousness," stated Robert E. Perez, director, New York field operations. "I commend our officers for their work in securing our nation's borders."
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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. Laws.