US Authorities seize cocaine in underwear of Jamaican passenger

New York, USA (CMC) — A Jamaican national faces federal narcotics smuggling charges after she was detained at the John F Kennedy International Airport with cocaine worth a street value of more than US$30,000 last month.

The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the drugs were seized in the handrails of a suitcase and in the underwear of the passenger, identified as Taneshia Walker, who is also a citizen of the United States.

CPS said when they searched the luggage on July 13, officers noticed that the handle rails were not operating properly and that on closer examination found a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine.

CBP said officers then conducted a personal search revealing an oval-shaped object wrapped in latex concealed in Walker’s underwear.

They said nearly four pounds of cocaine were seized during the investigation and that she now faces federal narcotics smuggling charges and will be prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office in the US Eastern District Court of New York

“CBP remains ever vigilant in protecting the United States from the distribution of these dangerous drugs, our officers are constantly adapting to various concealment methods employed by these smugglers,” said Robert Perez, Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations.