JAMAICA, N.Y. — An arriving passenger was “busting out of his pants.” Fortunately this is not the first time U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers in New York have seen this concealment method.
On March 4, Mr. Juan Carlos Galan Luperon, a United States citizen, arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and presented himself for inspection. During his examination, Mr. Luperon exhibited numerous signs of nervousness and his pants appeared to be rather snug.
Mr. Luperon was subsequently escorted to a private search room where CBP officers conducted a physical search of his person. During the search, they found packages taped around both of his legs.
The packages produced a white powder that tested positive for cocaine. A total weight of approximately 10 lbs. of cocaine was seized, with an estimated street value of more than $164,000.
“This seizure is another example of our CBP officers being ever vigilant in protecting the United States from the distribution of these illicit drugs,” said Leon Hayward, Acting Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations.
CBP officers placed Luperon under arrest and turned him over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). He now faces federal narcotics smuggling charges and will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the U.S. Eastern District Court of New York.
All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.