This guy was trying to season a completely different salad.
Andres Josue Leal Valle—a Guatemalan citizen who arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport on a flight from Mexico City, Mexico—was arrested on Oct. 5 for attempting to smuggle about 11 pounds of cocaine in bottles of salad dressing, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Valle allegedly presented three checked-in suitcases and a carry-on bag for examination and while checking the bags, CBP officers removed a plastic bottle containing a liquid that appeared to be thicker than its content description.
According to CBP, Valle was then escorted to a private search room where officers opened the bottles of oil and vinegar and detected an unusual smell. The liquid later tested positive for cocaine.
A total of six bottles were seized with about 11 pounds of cocaine, which had a street value of about $194,000.
“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.”
This case is still under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations.
