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Officers Find 24 Bottles Of Liquid Cocaine In Shampoo Bottles At Houston Airport
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers are working with Airport staff from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport after a passenger attempted to smuggle 35 pounds of liquid cocaine in shampoo bottles.
According to a press release, a Colombia citizen was carrying clothing in his checked luggage along with 24 bottles of shampoo that contained liquid cocaine valued over $400,000.
The officers discovered the bottles after observing him at the claim area and conducting a bag search with a K-9.
“Our officers are the first line of defense at our ports of entry, so they are trained in the various smuggling methods people use to bring illicit goods into the U.S.,” said CBP Port Director Shawn Polley. “We take every opportunity to intercept those illicit goods before they enter our communities, in this case, it was 35 pounds of liquid cocaine.”
CBP officers at @iah intercepted 24 full-sized shampoo bottles containing 35lbs of liquid cocaine valued at over $400K. Details via @CBPCentralTX: https://t.co/UH01pS3ZBI pic.twitter.com/PHeyf1n1KY
— CBP (@CBP) November 14, 2019
The 26-year old was questioned by CBP officers questioned the passenger before he was sent back to Colombia. The narcotics were seized and turned over to the Houston Police Department for further investigation, according to CPB.
CPB spokeswoman Yolanda Choates told USA TODAY that the suspect was not arrested or charged before he was sent back. She explained that her agency only presents cases and does not bring charges; it’s up to the Department of Justice or local law enforcement to do so.