see also: in August 2006 News Releases:   CBP Miami Field Office Tropical Storm Ernesto Advisory # 4   CBP Atlanta Field Office   CBP Border Patrol Agents Arrest Convicted Gang Member   CBP Miami Field Office Tropical Storm Ernesto Advisory #3   Customs and Border Protection to Staff Marinas in South Florida During Labor Day Weekend   CBP Tampa Field Office Tropical Storm Ernesto Advisory #1   CBP Miami Field Office Tropical Storm Ernesto Advisory #2 ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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San Juan, P.R. – On August 14, 2006 Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers at the Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport detained a young male for smuggling narcotics. The 33-year old man citizen of Netherlands Antilles arrived onboard American Airlines flight 5005 from Bonaire and was planning on staying in Puerto Rico.

Upon attempting to clear CBP, the passenger was interviewed by one of our highly experienced officers. As a result of this interview and after inspecting his bags it was determined that passenger was an internal carrier; a person that swallows narcotics in form of pellets made from the fingers of rubber gloves usually containing cocaine or heroin. A smuggler will swallow about sixty or more pellets that vary slightly in weight and size. Total weight can be roughly 1 kilogram, or 2.2 pounds. As lucrative as the payoff may be for the carriers, they are putting their own lives at great risk. Deaths from leakages of the pellets during transport are common.

This smuggler expelled pellets that contained a white powdery substance that was tested and reacted positive for cocaine. A total of 57 pellets were seized with a weight of 926 grams (a little over 2 pounds). Bonaire citizen was arrested and custody transferred for further processing.

During fiscal year 2006 (commenced on October 1,2005) Customs and Border Protection Officers in Puerto Rico have intercepted over 253 pounds of heroin, 4,844 pounds of cocaine and 949 pounds of marijuana.

Customs and Border Protection’s main mission is to protect our people from terrorist and their weapons of destruction. During the heighten alert level, our officers will continue to ensure that illegal drugs are detained prior to hitting our streets and reaching our youth.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.