see also: in November 2005 Press Releases:   CBP Air, Border Patrol Win 2005 USIC Awards   CBP Warns Consumers About Unsafe Toys and Counterfeit Products   Aduanas y Proteccion Fronteriza Recomiendan Tramitar con Tiempo Permiso I-94 Durante Epoca Decembrina   CBP Urges Mexican Holiday Travelers to Apply Early for I-94 Documents   Calexico Port of Entry to Process I-94 Permits for Mexican Holiday Travelers Immediately   Puerto de Calexico Procesara Permisos I-94 de Manera Expedita a Viajeros Durante Epoca Navideña ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Newark, NJ – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers today announced the seizure of almost 2 kilos of cocaine and the federal arrest of one Dominican citizen in the smuggling attempt.

On November 18, 2005, a Dominican national arrived from Santo Domingo at Newark Liberty International Airport and was referred to CBP officers for examination. CBP officers probed the bottom of the suitcase upon discovering an unusually thick lining. Probing of the suitcase produced a white powdery substance that field-tested positive for cocaine.

“The false bottom contained a total weight of 1939 grams of cocaine, which has an estimated street value of over $200,000.00,”stated Lucille Cirillo, CBP Public Affairs Liaison for the New York Field Office. The cocaine and the suitcase were seized by Customs and Border Protection. The passenger was arrested on federal charges of importation and possession with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement are continuing the investigation and prosecution.

This seizure was just one of several seizures that CBP officers have effected in recent weeks. On November 16th, CBP officers discovered 2,828 grams of cocaine in the false side of a bag carried by another passenger arriving from Santo Domingo. On November 9th, CBP officers seized over 136 pounds of heroin concealed in wood crates arriving in air cargo from Ghana.

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.