Photo provided by US Customs and Border Protection
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NASSAU, Bahamas
–
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Nassau
Preclearance facility intercepted 65 pounds of cocaine valued at more
than $472,000, March 9.
The two travelers are Bahamian citizens who were flying to
Florida when CBP officers intercepted them carrying 30 cocaine-filled
packages.
CBP officers initially inspected the pair when they checked
in to CBP customs and noted the luggage was empty; however, during jet
bridge and ramp operations, CBP officers re-examined the traveler’s
carry-on luggage and discovered both travelers were now carrying brown
packages.
CBP officers inspected the packages and found a white powdery substance which tested positive for cocaine.
“While this is one of the largest seizures in the history of
Nassau Preclearance, it is indicative of our officer’s vigilance,
teamwork and commitment to disrupting transnational criminal activity
when the opportunity arises,” said CBP Nassau Preclearance Port Director
Jeffrey Mara.
The international travelers were turned over to the Royal Bahamas Police Officers.
CBP Preclearance
operations allow for advance inspection of passengers and special
coordination with law enforcement upon arrival in the United States.
Through preclearance, the same immigration, customs, and agriculture
inspections of international air passengers performed on arrival in the
United States are instead completed before departure at foreign
airports. Currently, preclearance operations exist at 15 foreign
airports in six different countries, benefitting air passengers,
airports, and air carriers, in the United States and abroad.