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Cocaine Found in Candy at JFK

Release Date
Fri, 10/09/2015

CBP Officers Seize Cocaine in Bags of Candy

JAMAICA, N.Y. — An arriving passenger at John F. Kennedy International Airport had more than a sweet tooth as U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered.

CBP Officers at JFK Seize Cocaine in Bags of Candy

CBP Officers at JFK Seize Cocaine in Bags of Candy

On October 6, Mr. Eusebio Jimenez Manjarrez, a Mexican citizen, arrived on a flight from Mexico City, Mexico and presented himself to CBP officers for inspection.  During the examination of his baggage, CBP officers removed a bag of candy and found an object wrapped in tape. Mr. Manjarrez was escorted to a private search room where CBP officers probed the object wrapped in tape revealing a white powder that tested positive for cocaine.

Mr. Manjarrez was arrested for the importation of a controlled substance and was turned over to New York Police Department.  The total weight of cocaine found in the four bags of candy seized was approximately 6 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.”

The approximate street value of the seized narcotic is $97,000.

Mr. Manjarrez now faces narcotics smuggling charges, and will be prosecuted by the Queens District Court of New York.

All defendants are considered innocent unless and 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