see also: in June 2008:   CBP in New Orleans Offers Tips for International Air Travelers for Summer Season   CBP Offers Tips for International Air Travelers in Memphis for Summer Season   U.S. Customs and Border Protection to Host San Diego Hiring Event   Baltimore CBP Recovers Stolen Vehicle Being Shipped Overseas   Border Patrol Agents Seize Cocaine, Methamphetamines and Marijuana   Canada, U.S. Sign Arrangement to Align Security Standards for Cross-Border Business   CBP, Texas Strengthen Partnership to Ensure Border Security ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Newark, N.J. - Customs and Border Protection officers at Newark Liberty International Airport arrested Luis Camones, a 19-year-old Peruvian citizen, and seized almost one pound of cocaine concealed within Peruvian handicrafts on Monday.

CBP officers selected Mr. Camones for a baggage exam after he arrived on a flight from Lima, Peru en route to Japan. During the examination of his luggage, CBP officers became suspicious of two handicrafts that were in the passenger’s luggage. After drilling through a bar in one of the handicrafts, a white powdery substance was discovered which field tested positive for cocaine.

The two handicrafts yielded one pound of cocaine. Mr. Camones was turned over to Port Authority Police for state prosecution by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. He appeared this morning at 11:30 a.m. in front of Essex County Superior Court Judge Almikar Velez-Lopez.

U. S Customs and Border Protection acting Director of Field Operations Susan Mitchell said, "The itinerary used by the smuggler is this case is unusual. It would be more practical to fly to the west coast and then onto Asia but often smugglers will use unique itineraries to disguise their illicit operations."

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.