NASSAU: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Nassau Preclearance facility intercepted 65 pounds of cocaine valued at more than $472,000.
The two travelers are Bahamian citizens who were flying to Florida when CBP officers intercepted them carrying 30 cocaine-filled packages.
CBP officers initially inspected the pair when they checked in to CBP customs and noted the luggage was empty; however, during jet bridge and ramp operations, CBP officers re-examined the traveler’s carry-on luggage and discovered both travelers were now carrying brown packages.
CBP officers inspected the packages and found a white powdery substance which tested positive for cocaine.
“While this is one of the largest seizures in the history of Nassau Preclearance, it is indicative of our officer’s vigilance, teamwork and commitment to disrupting transnational criminal activity when the opportunity arises,” said CBP Nassau Preclearance Port Director Jeffrey Mara.
The international travelers were turned over to the Royal Bahamas Police Officers.
CBP Preclearance operations allow for advance inspection of passengers and special coordination with law enforcement upon arrival in the United States. Through preclearance, the same immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections of international air passengers performed on arrival in the United States are instead completed before departure at foreign airports. Currently, preclearance operations exist at 15 foreign airports in six different countries, benefitting air passengers, airports, and air carriers, in the United States and abroad.
