NEWARK, N.J. ñ U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Newark Liberty International Airport caught a passenger trying to smuggle cocaine into the United States hidden within film canisters. On May 26, Mr. Andres Filipe Alean Espinosa, a United States Citizen, arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport from Bogota, Colombia and presented himself for inspection. CBP officers conducted a physical search of his baggage and discovered 36 film canisters. These canisters were opened and the film was broken apart to find 36 black discs. The discs were probed revealing a white powder, which tested positive for cocaine. In total, an estimated weight of 10 lbs. of cocaine was seized with an approximate street value of $177,000. ìCocaine is a dangerous narcotic, and CBP does its part in keeping these drugs off the streets.î said Robert E. Perez, Director of CBPís New York Field Operations. ìOur officers are determined to protect the American people from these illicit substances.î Mr. Alean Espinosa was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. He now faces federal prosecution for narcotics smuggling charges. All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty. Photo credit: U. S. Customs and Border Protection
