JAMAICA, N.Y. — An arriving passenger at John F. Kennedy International Airport did not enjoy a ‘Happy Hour’ as U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized his prohibited cocktail.
On September 28, Mr. Akeem Rasheen Lewis, a Jamaican citizen, arrived on a flight from Kingston, Jamaica and during the examination CBP officers removed three bottles of Bailey’s liquor from a duty free bag, after discovering that the bottles appeared to be tampered with. Mr. Lewis was escorted to a private search room where CBP officers discovered white powder wrapped in clear plastic bags within the bottles. A total of three packages containing nine pounds of cocaine was discovered with an estimated street value of $115,000.
“This seizure demonstrates the dynamic border environment in which CBP officers operate at JFK.” said Frank Russo, Acting Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations. “Our officers are determined to adapt and respond to these threats in an effort to protect the American people.”
CBP officers placed Mr. Akeem Rasheen Lewis under arrest and turned him over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agents for further investigation.
All defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.