U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Puerto Rico found and seized 7 pounds (3 kilos) of cocaine, concealed within a parcel of books, and 17 pounds (8 kilos) of cannabis oil hidden inside a parcel of dry erase markers. The estimated value of the seized cocaine is $182,000 and $25,500 for the cannabis oil.
“Narcotics smugglers seek very creative ways to hide their product,” indicated Edwin Cruz, San Juan Area Port Director. “We have stepped up our inspection process through a risk-management based, layered enforcement approach, successfully closing routes for smugglers.”
At the air cargo operations of the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, CBP officers received from the courier operators six books within a parcel with pages glued together. Upon opening each glued book, Officers discovered three packages of white bricks wrapped in plastic. Six bricks -three in each book, tested positive to cocaine.
CBP Officers randomly inspected another package declared as 17 boxes of dry erase markers, with a $200 reported customs value. They opened one of the markers finding a vacuum-sealed plastic bag inside, which contained one electronic cigarette liquid vial, testing positive to the properties of cannabis.
CBP Officers contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents, who responded and took custody of the seized narcotics. The HSI investigation is ongoing.
CBP’s dual mission is to facilitate travel in the United States while we secure our borders, our people and our visitors from those that would do us harm like terrorists and terrorist weapons, criminals, and contraband.
Tags: hidden cocaine, puerto rico
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