JAMAICA, N.Y. — U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers in New York are always discovering interesting concealment methods. Hiding cocaine in bags of coffee is another way that one would-be smuggler attempted to transport illegal drugs into the United States.
Cocaine Found in Bags of Coffee By CBP at JFK
On April 13, Ms. Sherese Lee Ann Drake, a Jamaican citizen, arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport from Montego Bay, Jamaica and presented herself for inspection. During the examination of Ms. Drake’s suitcase, CBP officers removed a plastic coffee bag that contained a white powder.
Ms. Drake was escorted to a private search room where CBP officers probed two bags of coffee, all of which contained a white powder that tested positive for cocaine.
In total, approximately 3 lbs. of cocaine was seized; the estimated street value is more than $50,000.
“This seizure is another example of our CBP officers being ever vigilant in protecting the United States from the distribution of illicit drugs,” said Robert E. Perez, Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations.
CBP officers placed her under arrest and turned her over to the Port Authority Police Department. She now faces state narcotics smuggling charges and will be prosecuted by the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.