By Sadef Ali Kully
JAMAICA—U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found two packages of narcotics during two separate routine aircraft searches at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Jamaica.
On May 8, Customs and Border Protection officers conducted an aircraft search on a flight arriving from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
During the enforcement examination of the arriving aircraft with Ari, the CBP canine, officers were alerted to the presence of narcotics in the left-side lavatory area. Upon removing the panel from the wall, they discovered five brick-shaped packages that tested positive for heroin. Approximately 12 pounds of heroin were seized, with an estimated street value of $319,000, the CBP said.
Two days later, on May 10, CBP officers conducted an aircraft search on another flight arriving from Santo Domingo, based on the previous seizure, and discovered five brick-shaped objects concealed behind the toilet shroud on the right-side lavatory. CBP officers probed all five bricks, which tested positive for cocaine and heroin. Approximately five pounds of cocaine and seven pounds of heroin were seized, with an estimated street value of $281,000.
“CBP officers stand on the front line to ensure that these illicit narcotics are seized prior to entering this country,” said Robert Perez, CPB Director, Field Operations New York.
No arrests have been made at this time and the investigation was ongoing.
