Dominican Republic Citizen Busted With Coke In Laptop

News Americas, JAMAICA, N.Y. Weds. July 30, 2014:  A traveler had more than a laptop in her computer bag when she arrived at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers say.

CBP officers recently intercepted passenger Nikaury Lebron Florentino, a citizen of the Dominican Republic on an arriving flight from Santiago, DR.

During her examination, CBP officers said they noted inconsistencies in her answers and a nervous behavior.  Florentino was escorted to a private search room where her carry-on computer bag was probed revealing a white powder that tested positive for cocaine.

Florentino was arrested for the importation of a controlled substance and was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  The total weight of cocaine seized was approximately 4.14 lbs. The approximate street value of the seized narcotic is $84,000.

She now faces federal narcotics smuggling charges and will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the U.S. Eastern District Court of New York.

“This seizure demonstrates the vigilance and dedication demonstrated daily by CBP officers at JFK, in keeping these prohibited and dangerous narcotics off the streets of our communities,” said Robert E. Perez, Director, Field Operations in New York for CBP.