Heroin Feet: CBP at JFK Seizes Heroin in Sneakers

An arriving passenger at John F. Kennedy International Airport tried to ‘sneak’ past U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers, but was stopped in his tracks.

On February 24, CBP officers stopped Mr. Perez Beltran, a United States citizen, who arrived on a flight from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. During the course of the inspection, CBP officers discovered three pairs of sneakers in his luggage that were unusually heavy. CBP officers probed the sneakers and found a tan powdery substance that tested positive for heroin.

On February 24, CBP officers stopped Mr. Perez Beltran, a United States citizen, who arrived on a flight from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. During the course of the inspection, CBP officers discovered a pair of sneakers in his luggage that appeared heavier than normal. CBP officers probed the sneakers and found a tan powdery substance that tested positive for heroin. Two additional pairs of drug-filled sneakers were discovered in his luggage as well.

Approximately 3 lbs. of heroin was seized, with an estimated street value of $90,000.

“This latest seizure demonstrates the vigilance of our CBP officers, and their excellence in detecting those who would try to smuggle these illegal substances,” said Robert E. Perez, Director, Field Operations New York.

CBP officers placed Mr. Beltran under arrest and turned him over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). He 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.