Farmingdale Man Tried To Import Over 100 Pounds Of Cocaine Into New York: U.S. Attorney

A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employee was arraigned on Wednesday for trying to import about 45 kilos, or over 100 pounds, of cocaine into New York from the Dominican Republic last year, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

In January 2016, Farmingdale resident Fernando Marte, 28, conspired to import cocaine into the U.S. from the Dominican Republic while working as a CBP employee at JFK Airport, according to the U.S. Attorney.

In February 2017 while on duty for CBP, Marte approached two individuals who had arrived together at JFK on a flight from the Dominican Republic and escorted them to the baggage claim area where they loaded two suitcases onto a baggage cart, according to the U.S. Attorney.

Marte then escorted one of the individuals and the baggage cart through the secondary inspection point in the terminal, the U.S. Attorney said.

Upon searching the suitcases, CBP officers recovered 45 brick-shaped packages of cocaine, the U.S. Attorney said.

Further investigation has revealed that Marte previously escorted at least one other drug smuggler from the Dominican Republic through the inspection area at JFK Airport, according to the U.S. Attorney.

He was charged with conspiracy to import and importing cocaine, the U.S. Attorney said.

If convicted, Marte faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum life sentence.

“As a public servant entrusted with border security and keeping dangerous drugs out of our country, Officer Marte instead allegedly sought to serve himself and stained the badge he wore by doing so, by allowing cocaine to flow through JFK airport and into our city," Special Agent-in-Charge Angel Melendez said. "For corrupt officers who think they can hide behind their badge as they engage in transnational criminal activity, today’s indictment shows you will be caught and brought to justice."

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection stresses honor and integrity in every aspect of our mission. If you have integrity, you will not taint the image or disgrace the hard work of the men and women who wear the CBP uniform," Acting Director Leon Hayward said. "There is no place in our ranks for individuals who violate our laws and break the trust of the American people."