JAMAICA, N.Y. — It was like ‘déjà vu all over again’ for U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers in New York when a would-be smuggler attempted to transport illegal drugs into the United States.
On March 16, Mr. Mayobanex Ruiz Gomez, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and presented himself for inspection. During the examination of Mr. Gomez’s suitcase, he exhibited numerous signs of nervousness.
Mr. Gomez was subsequently escorted to a private search room where CBP officers conducted a physical search of his person. During the search, the officers discovered packages taped to his legs.
The packages contained a white powder that tested positive for cocaine. Approximately 5lbs. of cocaine was seized, with an estimated street value of more than $83,000.
“This latest seizure demonstrates our CBP officers being ever vigilant in protecting the United States from the distribution of these illicit drugs,” said Leon Hayward, Acting Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations.
CBP officers placed him 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.
