A GUYANESE man’s packages of powdered custard brought into John F. Kennedy International Airport last month turned out to be powdered cocaine, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said yesterday.
Authorities arrested a man who tried to sneak nearly 18 pounds of cocaine in packages of custard powered through airport security in New York.U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials at John F. Kennedy International Airport stopped 35-year-old Godfrey Cassius of Georgetown, Guyana, as he passed through baggage check.
The incident occurred on April 22nd but it was lately brought to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Officers asked Cassius, who had just flown in from Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Guyana, if he was carrying any food into the country (United States), to which Cassius admitted bringing eight packages of ‘Champion’ brand custard powder allegedly for an aunt.
Agents then probed the packages in which they found a white powder that eventually tested positive for cocaine.
In all, customs confiscated 17.9 pounds of cocaine — which officials said has an approximate street value of US$300,000.
Some section of the Guyanese media reported that “Cassius did not know he was carrying the substances into the country (United States)”, and that he was paid US$5,000 to take the suitcases into the country.

“Cocaine is a dangerous narcotic, and CBP does its part in keeping these drugs off the streets,” customs’ Director of New York Field Operations Robert Perez said in a statement. “Our officers are determined to protect the American people from these illicit substances.” (www.metro.us/newyork).