I.C.E. News Release

August 19, 2009

ICE and CBP seize more than 100 pounds of cocaine at Miami International Airport

MIAMI - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized more than 100 pounds of cocaine with a street value of approximately $3.8 million last night.

The seizure took place at approximately 10:00 p.m. while ICE agents and CBP officers were conducting enhanced enforcement operations at Miami International Airport (MIA) to interdict contraband and other threats to national security. The inspection of air cargo by ICE and CBP officers resulted in the discovery of two boxes containing 42 brick-shaped packages. The packages were shipped from Venezuela and tested positive for cocaine.

"This seizure demonstrates the teamwork within the Department of Homeland Security between ICE and CBP in our efforts to identify drug smugglers, how they operate and the routes they use," said Anthony V. Mangione, special agent in charge of ICE's Office of Investigations in Miami. "ICE and CBP will continue to work these joint enforcement operations in an effort to prevent drugs from entering the United States."

"This is an outstanding seizure, and it was accomplished thru the hard work and perseverance on the part of the CBP officers and ICE agents who use all of our resources to search for and discover contraband in order to safeguard our country," stated Harold E. Woodward, CBP's director of field operations for the Miami Field Office.

No arrests have been made and the ICE investigation into this seizure is ongoing.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 19, 2009
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0908/090819miami.htm