April 29, 2008
Newark, N.J. - Customs and Border Protection officers at Newark Liberty International Airport arrested Jose Rayuela, a 49-year-old Spanish citizen, and seized almost nine pounds of heroin concealed within chocolate candy bars yesterday.
CBP officers selected Mr. Rayuela for a baggage exam after he arrived on a flight from Lima, Peru. Mr. Rayuela presented one suitcase for inspection. During the examination of his luggage, CBP officers became suspicious of four boxes of chocolate candy bars that were in the passengers luggage. After probing one of the candy bars, a brown powdery substance was discovered which field tested positive for heroin.
The nine pounds of heroin has a street value of approximately $4,000,000. Mr. Rayuela was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for federal prosecution by the U.S. Attorneys Office, District of New Jersey located in downtown Newark. He appeared this afternoon in front of U.S. Magistrate Madeline Cox Arleo.
This is the second seizure of heroin in the last three days at Newark. On Saturday, a Colombian citizen was arrested after he attempted to smuggle approximately $1 million worth of liquid heroin in four one liter liquor bottles. U. S Customs and Border Protection acting Director of Field Operations Leon Hayward notes, "These recent seizures demonstrate the creative methods that smugglers will utilize to smuggle heroin into the United States."
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Source:Customs and Border Protection Dept of Homeland Security
