U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said Friday that they arrested a Mexican woman who arrived at JFK airport in New York carrying cocaine that was hidden inside containers of candy.
The woman, Petra Medarda, landed in New York on April 18, and when her bags were being x-rayed, CBP agriculture experts discovered a package hidden inside containers that appeared to be filled with candy.
“CBP agriculture specialists requested assistance from CBP officers who escorted Ms. Medarda to a private search room where CBP officers probed the concealed package producing a white powder that tested positive for cocaine,” CBP said.
Agents found eight bricks of cocaine weighing about 10 pounds, which had an estimated value of $175,000.
Medarda was arrested and faces drug smuggling charges.
