Officers Detect Cocaine in Can of Tomato Paste
Press Release
JAMAICA, N.Y. — An arriving passenger at John F. Kennedy International Airport had a little more than spaghetti and meatballs in mind as U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized his illegal condiment.
On December 26, Mr. Keiter Elian Rijo Morales, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, arrived on a flight from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. CBP officers inspected a large metal container labeled “Bella Tomato” Paste. CBP officers opened the container and discovered a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine.
Mr. Morales was arrested for the importation of a controlled substance and was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The weight of cocaine seized was approximately 5 lbs. with an estimated street value of $160,000.
“The smuggling of illicit drugs poses a significant threat to our nation, and CBP does its part in keeping these drugs off our streets.” said Troy Miller, Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations. “As America’s unified border security agency, our employees are determined to protect the public from these substances.”
Mr. Morales 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.