St. Thomas, Virgin Islands - St. Thomas U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers recently arrested an individual wanted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations for narcotics smuggling.
Adelberto Vasquez-Liriano, 38, a Legal Permanent Resident and citizen of the Dominican Republic, was arrested by CBP at the Cyril E. King Airport prior to boarding an American Airlines flight destined to New York on September 16.
Vasquez-Liriano was in possession of a suitcase wherein six duct tape wrapped packages were found containing a substance that later tested positive for cocaine. The total weight of the taped packages was 7.23 kilograms with an approximate value of approximately $100,000.
The subject and the narcotics were turned over to ICE-HSI agents who presented the case to the U.S. Attorney's Office for prosecution.
"Customs and Border Protection is an agency committed to securing our borders while at the same time cooperating with other law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of U.S. laws. CBP officers are always vigilant to detect individuals that have broken our laws and attempt to defeat our justice system," stated Marcelino Borges, Director of Field Operations for Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.
The primary CBP officer mission is anti-terrorism. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States.