U.S. Homeland Security agents arrested Marvin Griffin after he allegedly tried to carry five kilograms of cocaine onto a flight to New York out of St. Thomas’ Cyril E. King Airport on Sept. 29, according to court documents.
There have been numerous similar arrests over the years, including several so far this calendar year. (See related links below)
According to the arrest affidavit filed with the court, Griffin showed up for his flight with a box for checked luggage that Griffin told Customs officials contained food items. Customs sent Griffin to their agriculture specialist, who noticed several canned items, which Griffin purportedly said were items he could not get in New York.
Customs officials opened a bag Griffin was carrying, smelled marijuana and asked Griffin if he had marijuana. Griffin allegedly replied "yes." On further inspection, officials found a "marijuana cigarette hidden inside a candy wrapper," according to the affidavit. Then they inspected the cans and found them filled with white powder that tested positive for cocaine. The "white powdery substance" weighed about 5.2 kilograms.
Homeland Security Investigations has filed a criminal complaint charging Griffin with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
Griffin has been detained and is being represented by a federal public defender.
