A traveler from Peru was arrested at Miami International Airport after officers found more than 17 pounds of cocaine stuffed into just about every piece of the passenger's luggage, officials said.
Customs and Border Protection officers started examining the passenger's luggage after noticing a strong odor coming from inside after the passenger arrived from Lima on Oct. 9, officials said.
After noticing irregular stitching in jackets and purses, the officers found multiple black plastic packages containing the white powder, which later tested positive for cocaine, officials said. In addition to the jackets and purses, cocaine was found in pillows, books and brandy bottles.
The passenger was arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“This seizure is an excellent example of our CBP officers’ tenacity," Miami International Airport Port Director Christopher Maston said in a statement. “They have great intuition and work ferociously to find hidden narcotics being smuggled into the U.S. We are proud of their dedication to the mission."
