STERLING, Va., – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) at Washington Dulles International Airport seized over five and one-half pounds of liquid methamphetamine from an El Salvadoran woman Saturday that was concealed inside two plastic bottles and a plastic bag.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized 5.5 pounds of liquid methamphetamine that was contained in two bottles and one plastic bag in an El Salvadoran couriers baggage February 7, 2015 at Washington Dulles International Airport.
The woman, who holds U.S. lawful permanent resident status, arrived on a flight from Panama. She was referred for a routine secondary examination to have her luggage inspected. These inspections ensure that the contents comply with all customs, agriculture and other laws.
In secondary, CBP officers determined that she was a courier carrying four courier bags, one personal carry-on bag and one purse.
In the courier bags, CBP officers discovered two clear plastic bottles filled with a brown liquid manifested as “juice cacao,” and a plastic bag containing a brown viscous substance manifested as “honey bee.” The substances field-tested positive for methamphetamine. The total weight of the methamphetamine was slightly more than 5 pounds, 10 ounces. It could have a street value of more than $33,000.
“CBP officers remain ever vigilant at intercepting illicit narcotics before it can hurt our families and communities,” said Wayne Biondi, CBP Area Port Director for the Port of Washington.
After extensive interviews, authorities were satisfied that she was a legitimate courier and released her without charges.
The Privacy Act prohibits releasing the woman’s name since she was not criminally charged.
Please visit CBP’s Border Security webpage to learn how CBP secures the United States at our nation’s Ports of Entry.