AMAICA, N.Y. — U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers in New York are always discovering interesting concealment methods.  Hiding cocaine in his underwear is another way that a would-be smuggler attempted to transport illegal drugs into the United States.

On April 16, Mr. Romario Lewis, a Jamaican citizen, arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport from Kingston, Jamaica and presented himself for inspection.  During the examination of Mr. Lewis’s suitcase, he exhibited numerous signs of nervousness. 

CBP officers conducted a physical search of Mr. Lewis.  During this search, officers discovered two packages in the subject’s groin area.  The two packages contained a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine.  An approximate weight of 1 lb. of cocaine was seized, with an estimated street value of more than $19,000 according to DEA statistics.

“This seizure is another example of our CBP officers being ever vigilant in protecting the United States from the distribution of illicit drugs,” said Robert E. Perez, Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations.

CBP officers placed Lewis under arrest and turned him over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  He 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 until proven guilty.