By Juan Soto
JAMAICA – A man was busted by customs officials early this month at John F. Kennedy Airport for allegedly trying to smuggle almost five pounds of cocaine hidden in his suitcase, authorities said this week.
The man was coming back to the United States from Guyana. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the suspect was arrested June 5 when the officers noticed that the rails of his rolling suitcase were “unusually thick.” When the officers searched the luggage in a private room, they discovered what turned out to be 4.8 pounds of cocaine in the handle rails, the agency said. Authorities said the street value of the confiscated cocaine was about $82.000.
“Officers continue to adapt to various concealment methods employed by these smugglers, and CBP remains ever vigilant in protecting the United States from the distribution of these dangerous drugs,” Robert Perez, director of U.S. Customs’ New York field operations, said in a statement.
The suspect was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. He faces federal narcotic charges, authorities said.
