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  4. Cocaine Found in Underwear and Girdle By CBP at JFK

Cocaine Found in Underwear and Girdle By CBP at JFK

Release Date
Mon, 04/20/2015

JAMAICA, N.Y. — An arriving passenger was wearing more than undergarments beneath her clothing.  Fortunately this is not the first time U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers in New York have seen this concealment method.

Girdle and underwear that had the cocaine hidden inside

Cocaine Found in Underwear and Girdle By CBP at JFK

On April 12, Ms. Olive Fowler, a Guyanese citizen, arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport from Georgetown, Guyana and presented herself for inspection.  During the examination of Ms. Fowler’s suitcase, she exhibited numerous signs of nervousness.

Ms. Fowler was subsequently escorted to a private search room where CBP officers conducted a physical search of her person.  It was during this search that they found packages concealed within the girdle and underwear.

The packages produced a white powder that tested positive for cocaine.  CBP estimates a total weight of approximately 4 lbs. of cocaine was seized, with an estimated street value of more than $73,000 according to the latest DEA statistics.

“This seizure is just another example of our CBP officers being ever vigilant in protecting the United States from the distribution of these illicit drugs,” said Robert E. Perez, Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations.

CBP officers placed Fowler under arrest and turned her over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  She 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