MIAMI— U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Miami International Airport discovered an internal smuggler this week with two pounds of cocaine.
During a baggage inspection, CBP officers discovered a white powdery substance and a tiny drug balloon, or pellet, concealed within a pair of sandals. The items weighed approximately 1.3 pounds and field tested positive for cocaine.
Upon questioning, the Jamaican traveler admitted to swallowing cocaine and was taken to a local hospital for an X-ray examination. The X-ray showed the presence of foreign objects and the individual later passed 28 pellets testing positive for cocaine.
“Swallowing drugs is an extremely dangerous method of concealment and CBP officers are highly skilled at thwarting smuggling attempts," said Miami International Airport Acting Port Director Robert Del Toro. "It's important to deter this type of illegal activity which can be fatal if a pellet bursts."
"This is latest example of dedicated CBP officers using training and expertise to interdict illegal narcotics," said Miami/Tampa Field Office Director of Field Operations Vernon T. Foret. "Smugglers looking to bring in illicit drugs will be caught no matter what the concealment method is."
CBP's border security mission is led at ports of entry by CBP officers from the Office of Field Operations. CBP officers screen international travelers and cargo and search for illicit narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, counterfeit consumer goods, prohibited agriculture, and other illicit products that could potentially harm the American public, U.S. businesses, and our nation’s safety and economic vitality.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations in Florida include travel and trade facilitation and securing over 1,200 miles of the coastal border. Add @CBPPortDirMia, @DFOFlorida and @CBPFlorida on Twitter for news and information updates.