CBP at JFK ‘Bags’ Smuggler

Officers seize Cocaine from Passenger in Computer Bag

HOMELAND SECURITY PRESS RELEASE

A traveler had more than a laptop in her computer bag when she arrived at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. Fortunately U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers were ‘on-line’ to firewall her plans.

On July 17, CBP officers intercepted passenger Ms. Nikaury Lebron Florentino, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, arriving from Santiago, Dominican Republic. During her examination, CBP officers noted inconsistencies in her answers and a nervous behavior. Ms. Florentino was escorted to a private search room where her carry-on computer bag was probed revealing a white powder that tested positive for cocaine.

Ms. Florentino was arrested for the importation of a controlled substance and was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The total weight of cocaine seized was approximately 4.14 lbs.

“This seizure demonstrates the vigilance and dedication demonstrated daily by CBP officers at JFK, in keeping these prohibited and dangerous narcotics off the streets of our communities,” said Robert E. Perez, Director, Field Operations in New York for CBP.

The approximate street value of the seized narcotic is $84,000.

She 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 unless and until proven guilty.