U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered nearly 18 pounds of cocaine concealed among powdered custard in the suitcase of a man coming from Guyana at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered nearly 18 pounds of cocaine concealed among powdered custard in the suitcase of a man coming from Guyana at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
On April 22, officers stopped Godfrey Cassius who was arriving on a flight from Georgetown, Guyana. During the course of a baggage inspection, CBP officers discovered eight packages of “Champion” custard powder within his luggage. When the packages were probed, they yielded a white powder which emitted a strong chemical odor. That powder tested positive for cocaine.
Cassius, a citizen of Guyana, was arrested for the importation of a controlled substance and was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The total weight of cocaine seized was approximately 17.9 lbs.
The approximate street value of the seized narcotic is $300,000.00.
Godfrey Cassius 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.