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January 1, Stuffed Shrimp Bags: JFK Airport Drug Smuggling Bust

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A U.S. citizen living in Guyana was apprehended last Friday at John F. Kennedy International Airport for allegedly hiding cocaine inside bags of shrimp, as reported by NBC New York. Zacharie Scott arrived in the U.S. with two suitcases that appeared to be normal, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.

However, during the standard customs screening process, Scott’s luggage was chosen for a more in-depth secondary inspection by Customs and Border Protection officers. Upon opening the suitcases, officers discovered “loose clothing and multiple packages of frozen jumbo shrimp wrapped in sealed plastic,” NBC New York stated.

After slicing open the shrimp packages, officers reportedly found a white, powdery substance, later identified as cocaine. The total amount of the drug recovered was approximately 18.45 kilograms.

Scott allegedly admitted to the arresting officers that he had agreed to smuggle the drugs into the country for a payment of between $5,000 and $6,000, according to federal prosecutors, as noted by NBC New York. He is currently in custody and awaits a bail hearing scheduled for Tuesday.

As of the time of publication, a request for a statement from his public defender remains unanswered, NBC New York reported.

Why It Matters (op-ed)

This cocaine smuggling incident highlights the continuous threat of drug trafficking and its effect on our nation. Our porous borders and lax customs security enable criminals to infiltrate our country, putting innocent lives at risk.

It’s time to demand strict border control policies and proper vetting of those entering our country. We cannot afford to play games with the safety of our citizens. A stronger immigration policy is necessary to protect our great nation from the dangers posed by drug smuggling and other criminal activities.

As our loyal readers, we encourage you to share your thoughts and opinions on this issue. Let your voice be heard and join the discussion below.

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3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Paul Massing

    January 31, 2024 at 9:45 pm

    Are they aware of what’s going on at the Mexican border? What bull .

  2. Colleen

    February 1, 2024 at 11:09 am

    The smugglers will always find a way to bring in this trash because we let everybody under the sun get into this country with a smile and a welcome sign.

  3. Rick

    February 1, 2024 at 2:48 pm

    18.45 Kilo’s ? anyone smuggling that amount should be offered exemption from prosecution if they eat it on the spot

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