News Americas, JAMAICA, N.Y., Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014: A U.S. citizen arriving on a Guyana flight faces federal narcotics smuggling charges after being busted with three bags of cocaine laced Kerrygold milk powder and three bags of cocaine laced Guyana Champion custard powder.
Tricia Ann D’Aguiar will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the U.S. Eastern District Court of New York after being busted late last month by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the John F. Kennedy International Airport with the cocaine.
A sniffer dog alerted his CBP handler to a suspicious suitcase and officers stopped D’Aguiar, its owner.
During the baggage inspection, CBP officers discovered the six packages, which when probed, yielded a white powder which emitted a strong chemical odor. That powder tested positive for cocaine.
The total weight of cocaine seized was approximately 13 lbs. with an approximate street value of $230,000.
D’Aguiar was arrested for the importation of a controlled substance and was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.
“Cocaine is a dangerous narcotic, and CBP does its part in keeping these drugs off the streets.” said Robert E. Perez, Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations. “Our Officers are determined to protect the American people from these illicit substances.”
