A drug smuggler dressed up as a Delta Airlines pilot in order to bring cocaine into the United States, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) said.
On Monday, CBP officers intercepted passenger Mario Hudson, a citizen of Jamaica, arriving from Kingston, at JFK Airport.
Hudson was dressed in what appeared to be a pilot’s uniform and claimed he was a crew member who will fly the plane back to Jamaica.
During the baggage inspection, CBP officers discovered that Hudson had what appeared to be two fraudulent Delta Airlines ID badges.
During the examination of Hudson’s luggage, CBP officers noticed that the sides and bottom appeared to be unusually thick and heavy.
Hudson was escorted to a private search room, where his suitcase was checked, revealing a white powder that tested positive for cocaine.
Hudson was arrested for the import of a controlled substance and was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. The total weight of cocaine seized was approximately 5 pounds, with an estimated street value of $85,000.
Hudson 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.