Thread: Europeans smuggling drugs into U.S. from Costa Rica

C.B.P. News Release

CBP Officers in Newark Hinder European Drug Trade

(Monday, April 20, 2009)

Newark, N.J. - On Saturday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Newark Liberty International Airport arrested 24-year-old Valdis Pudnieks, a Latvian citizen, attempting to smuggle more than four pounds of cocaine from Costa Rica.

This marks the fourth arrest this month of a European passport holder, attempting to smuggle cocaine in transit from Costa Rica.

On Saturday afternoon, CBP officers selected Mr. Pudnieks for a routine baggage inspection when he arrived on a flight from San Jose, Costa Rica. Mr. Pudnieks, a construction worker in Latvia, stated that he was returning from a 15-day vacation in Costa Rica and was in transit to Brussels.

Upon routine inspection of Mr. Pudnieks luggage, CBP officers found that the bottom of his bag was unusually thick. Further examination of Mr. Pudnieks belongings revealed a package concealed within the bottom of the luggage. The package when probed produced a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine. More than four pounds of cocaine was seized with an estimated street value in excess of $130,000.

Mr. Pudnieks and the narcotics were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation. This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey, who arraigned Mr. Pudnieks in U.S. District Court in Newark. If convicted, he could face a maximum of 10 years in prison and a permanent ban from entering the United States through the Visa Waiver Program.

So far this month, CBP officers at Newark have seized more than 18 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of nearly $1 million. “U.S. Customs and Border Protection is committed impeding the flow of illicit drugs across our borders,â€

Good Job!!