ST.CROIX, Virgin Islands – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized 3 pounds (1.2 kilos) of cocaine Saturday at the Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport from an outbound passenger flying to Miami. The estimated value of the seized cocaine is $30,000.
“Transnational Criminal Organizations send diverse amounts of narcotics trying to elude detection”, stated Todd Bellew, Area Port Director for the U.S. Virgin Islands. “The experience and wisdom of our officers, coupled with technology, facilitates the detection and interception of these illicit loads.”
On Mar. 7, during inspections authorized by federal law CBP officers found two bricked shaped objects inside a checked baggage. The passenger and the luggage were referred to further inspection.
A field test revealed that the white powdery substance tested positive to the properties of cocaine.
The CBP Contraband Enforcement Team seized the cocaine and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents took custody of the passenger and the cocaine for investigation and prosecution.
CBP’s mission is to safeguard America’s borders thereby protecting the public from dangerous people and materials while enhancing the Nation’s global economic competitiveness by enabling legitimate trade and travel.