15 Pounds of Cocaine Seized at Atlanta Airport

ATLANTA, GA -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) arrested a woman and seized nearly 15 pounds of cocaine on Sunday.

The female passenger, a U.S. citizen, arrived from Lima, Peru and was referred to a secondary examination. During her secondary inspection, authorities examined the baggage contents and discovered a white powdery substance concealed in purses, jackets, and llama skins. That substance field-tested positive for cocaine.

The cocaine weighed a total of 14.44 pounds, and had a street value of approximately $450,000. CBP turned the individual over to Clayton County Police officers for local prosecution.

“This cocaine seizure is an excellent example of the persistence displayed by our Customs and Border Protection Officers and Agriculture Specialist to detect unique concealment methods, and to intercept dangerous drugs at our nation’s ports of entry, “ said Devin Chamberlain, CBP’s acting port director for Atlanta. “Narcotics interdiction remains a priority CBP enforcement mission, one that we take very seriously.”

CBP seized 9,435 pounds of drugs on a typical day during fiscal year 2015.

Image: US Customs & Border Protection