A Haitian man who tried to smuggle nearly 20 pounds of cocaine in the false lining of two suitcases was busted at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, authorities said.
The 33-year-old man was arriving from Port-Au-Prince on July 26 when he was stopped by Customs and Border Protection officers. The officers noticed his suitcases were unusually heavy and anomalies appeared on the X-ray screen when they were scanned, officials said.
While examining the lining officers found a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine. The total haul was 19.6 pounds.
"This is another excellent example of our CBP officers’ expertise and vigilance in preventing dangerous drugs from entering the United States," Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Port Director Jorge Roig said in a statement. "We are very proud of their hard work every day."
Authorities didn't release the suspect's name or say what charges he's facing.
