This traveler may have been inspired by Leonardo DiCaprio in ‘Catch Me if You Can’; but fortunately U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport have seen this movie before.
On March 27, CBP officers intercepted passenger Mr. Mario Hudson, a citizen of Jamaica, arriving from Kingston, Jamaica.
Mr. Hudson was dressed in what appeared to be a pilot’s uniform and claimed he was a “dead-heading crewmember”.
During the baggage inspection, CBP officers discovered that Mr. Hudson had what appeared to be two fraudulent Delta Airlines ID badges.
During the examination of Mr. Hudson’s luggage, CBP officers noticed that the sides and bottom appeared to be unusually thick and heavy.
Mr. Hudson was escorted to a private search room where his suitcase was probed revealing a white powder that tested positive for cocaine.
Mr. Hudson was arrested for the import of a controlled substance and was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. The total weight of cocaine seized was approximately 5 lbs. with an estimated street value of $85,000.
“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 Leon Hayward, acting Director, Field Operations in New York for CBP.
Mr. Hudson 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.
All defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with 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.
