see also: in June 2005 Press Releases:   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Trains Dogs to Detect Drugs and Humans   CBP Border Patrol Arrests Murder Suspect Using Anti-Terror Technology   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Seizes Thousands of Illegal Fireworks   CBP Officers Find Marijuana After Sentri Participant Absconds from Car   CBP Border Patrol Agents Seize 261 Pounds Of Ecstasy   United States' Schmitz is Elected to Director at the World Customs Organization ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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New York, NY – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers at JFK International Airport seized approximately 134 pounds of heroin and 132 pounds of cocaine concealed in coffee cans, false-bottom suitcases and oversized wooden mortars. Four people have been arrested.

On June 27, 2005, CBP Officers at JFK Airport examined the luggage of Ms. Marta Rodriguez Nunez, age 57, and uncovered approximately 8 lbs. of heroin concealed in 4 cans of coffee and approximately 31 lbs. of cocaine hidden in 3 oversized wooden mortars.

Ms. Nunez was traveling aboard American Airlines Flight # 2296 from Santiago, Dominican Republic with her nephew, Mr. Jose Lanfranco, age 28, his common-law wife, Ms. Mylaine Mendoza, age 38, and their 8-year-old son.

Examination of the couple’s luggage, (six pieces) revealed 25 cans of coffee, and 8 oversized wooden mortars. CBP Officers seized a total of more than 19 lbs. of heroin concealed in 10 cans of coffee, and approximately 89 lbs of cocaine found in 15 cans of coffee and in the 8 oversized wooden mortars.

Another member of the traveling party, Mr. Jose Castillo-Cruz, age 68, attempted to smuggle approximately 108 lbs. of heroin in 13 cans of coffee and in the false bottoms of 2 suitcases; CBP Officers also uncovered approximately 12 lbs. of cocaine in 6 cans of coffee hidden within his luggage.

The approximate total of all the seizures came to 134 pounds of heroin and 132 pounds of cocaine.

The four individuals and the narcotics they attempted to smuggle into the United States were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agents. The investigation is continuing.

The two men and Ms. Mendoza are U.S. citizens; Ms. Nunez is a legal permanent resident of the U.S. All are residents of the U.S.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security responsible for 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.