JFK Traveler Found 'Full' Of Cocaine Pellets Worth $94K: Feds

New York City NY

13 April, 2021

3:30 PM

Description

NEW YORK CITY — An international traveler at JFK Airport carried some undeclared luggage stowing on — and in — her person, customs officials said. Yerlina Lantigua Hernandez DeNova tried to smuggle $94,000 worth of cocaine pellets into the country, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said. Sharp-eyed officers spotted three of those pellets in DeNova's purse after her flight from the Dominican Republic landed. They took her aside and found more pellets stuffed inside her bra. But that's not the final hiding place — DeNova had more pellets "internally" inserted, officials said. She was "full of pellets," as a CPB release stated. Nearly $94,000 of Cocaine pellets was seized @CBP from a traveler returning from the Dominican Republic....discovered in her purse, bra, and internally @DFONewYork @CBPPortDirJFK https://t.co/mhOt6zuuNN pic.twitter.com/oSrZwpvR7R— CBP New York City (@CBPNewYorkCity) April 13, 2021 "This seizure is another example of our CBP officers being ever vigilant in protecting the United States from the distribution of these illicit drugs," Marty Rabon, acting director of CBP's New York field operations, said in a statement. The search yielded 100 pellets weighing a total of 3 pounds in and on DeNova, officials said. DeNova, a permanent resident, was arrested and will face federal narcotics smuggling charges, according to a release.