Customs: Cocaine Smuggled in Food at JFK

Photo: Cocaine smuggled in food at JFK. Credit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

A woman faces smuggling charges after she tried to bring cocaine into John F. Kennedy Airport inside food packages, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.

Cops said Reynalda Leal Ricando, of Mexico, had arrived on a flight from Mexico City and was proceeding through customs when officials became suspicious of her luggage.

After declaring she had food items with her, CBP officials performed X-ray scans of her baggage and saw suspicious shapes inside large plastic containers, officials said.

CBP officers inspected the containers and found a tar-like substance that contained white powder, later found to be cocaine, officials said.

Cops said a total of 3.3 pounds of cocaine, valued at $58,000, were found in the investigation.

Ricando was charged with importation of a controlled substance and was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations, cops said.

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