April 29, 10

NEWS / CBP at Newark Discovers Bottles of Liquid Cocaine Disguised as Rum

Newark, N.J. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Newark Liberty International Airport apprehended a woman trying to smuggle liquid cocaine concealed in three bottles of rum.

On April 24, CBP officers selected passenger Claudia Paulina Gregory, a citizen of Antigua, for a random examination. Ms. Gregory, who arrived on a flight from Antigua, stated she was here vacationing and intended on visiting friends and family in the Bronx.

During an examination Ms. Gregory’s checked luggage CBP officers discovered several bottles of alcohol with unusual consistency and smell. The liquid was tested; and resulted in a positive test for cocaine. A total of nearly 12 pounds of cocaine was seized.

“This seizure exemplifies the effective training and skills utilized by CBP Oofficers while conducting enforcement examinations,” said Robert E. Perez, director, Field Operations, New York Field Office. “It also demonstrates CBP’s partnership with local law enforcement in apprehending all types of smugglers despite various deceptive concealment methods.”

Ms. Gregory was arrested and turned over to local authorities for prosecution. The narcotics seized during this inspection carry a street value of over $350,000. An investigation is ongoing. If convicted, Ms. Gregory may face significant time in prison.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/04282010_4.xml