ORANJESTAD, Aruba—U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Oranjestad-Aruba Preclearance facility intercepted 11.46 pounds of liquid cocaine concealed inside a traveler’s luggage. The subject and narcotics were turned over to Aruba Customs for further processing.
[CBP officers discovered six brown bottles that tested positive for cocaine.] “The Caribbean continues to be a transit point for narcotics to the eastern seaboard,” said Director for CBP Preclearance Dylan J. DeFrancisci. “Having Preclearance officers positioned at this last point of departure continues to be successful in intercepting narcotics before they enter the United States.”
On Jan. 28, CBP officers encountered a 28-year-old citizen of Guyana applying for admission to the United States. The subject was referred for secondary inspection at which point CBP officers discovered six brown bottles inside boxes labeled “Nutrophos Liquid Nerve Tonic with Vitamin B” wrapped in clothing. Each bottle field tested positive for cocaine. The subject, who was flying to Miami, admitted to carrying the narcotics, which had an approximate street value of $150,000.
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.
