By Admin. Updated 5:55 a.m., Thursday, February 13, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) says its officers seized 47.4 pounds (21.5 kilograms) of cocaine found concealed inside 51 hair conditioner jars from a shipment destined for Thailand.
The CBP says on its website, in a February 12 news release, that the seizure was made in Puerto Rico and the estimated value of the seized contraband is $361,200 (1 USD = 2.70 XCD).
The Agency further states that the shipment originated from St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). It was seized on January 28, 2025.
“Our CBP officers continue their vigilance at the Express Consignment Cargo Facilities and effectively employ their experience combined with available technology to detect and deter smuggling activities exploiting the supply chain”, said Carlos Nieves, Port Director for the Mayaguez-Aguadilla Port of Entry.
“On Jan. 28, during package inspection operations at the FedEx cargo facilities at the Rafael Hernandez Airport CBP officers selected a package for further inspection. A non-intrusive x-ray machine revealed anomalies on a package with 59 jars of hair conditioner. The shipment originated in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and was destined to Thailand,” the CBP says on its website.
“Physical inspection revealed that 51 of the jars were filled with a white powder in a vacuum sealed pouch. The powder was tested resulting positive for the properties of cocaine,” the CBP says.
No further details were given.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse says on its website, “Cocaine is an addictive stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant (Erythroxylon coca) which is native to South America”.
The CBP says its mission is to safeguard America’s borders thereby protecting the public from dangerous people and materials while enhancing the nation’s global economic competitiveness by enabling legitimate trade and travel.
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