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Cocaine Found in Baking Powder

Release Date
Fri, 06/19/2015

CBP Officers Seize Cocaine in Packages of Powder

JAMAICA, N.Y. — This arriving passenger was looking to bake more than just a cake as U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at John F. Kennedy International Airport discovered.

Cocaine Found in Baking Powder by CBP at JFK

Cocaine Found in Baking Powder by CBP at JFK

On June 6, CBP officers stopped Ms. Alizah Zaneshia Henry, a United States citizen, who was arriving on a flight from Georgetown, Guyana via Port of Spain, Trinidad.  During the course of the inspection, CBP officers removed one of several plastic bags labeled as Champion Baking Powder from her checked suitcase.  CBP officers escorted Ms. Henry to a private search room where the baking powder was probed and tested positive for cocaine.  Ms. Henry was arrested for the import of a controlled substance and was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.

The total weight of cocaine seized was approximately 22 lbs.

“Cocaine is a dangerous narcotic, and CBP does its part in keeping these drugs off the streets.” said Robert E. Perez, Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations.  “Our officers are determined to protect the American people from these illicit substances.”

Alizah Zaneshia Henry 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