CBP at JFK Arrests Heroin Smuggler

Two arriving passengers may be singing the blues after U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers at John F. Kennedy International Airport seized their illegal cocktail.

On March 26, Mr. Andres Uribe Rebolledo, a Colombian citizen, along with his girlfriend Ms. Yuly Valencia Sanchez, also a Colombian citizen, arrived on a flight from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Heroin concealed in a bottle of whiskey at JFK Airport.
Heroin concealed in a bottle of whiskey at JFK Airport.

During the examination, CBP officers discovered one Marshall brand speaker, and one Glenmorangie brand whisky gift box that felt unusually heavy.

Mr. Rebolledo and Ms. Sanchez were escorted to a private search room where CBP officers probed the speaker and whiskey gift box producing a tan substance that tested positive for heroin.

In total, approximately 9 lbs. of heroin with an estimated street value of more than $250,000 were seized.

“Heroin is a dangerous narcotic, and CBP does its part in keeping these drugs off the streets.” said Leon Hayward, acting Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations.

“Our officers are determined to protect the American people from these illicit substances.”

Mr. Rebolledo and Ms. Sanchez now face narcotics smuggling charges and are being prosecuted by the New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office.

All defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.