Field Operations Officers of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized a total of 13 pounds (6 kilograms) of a substance identified as marijuana, from one passenger arriving Wednesday, April 22, at the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas.
According to the V.I. Police Department, Raquel Rivera, was arrested after 12 vacuum sealed packages were found in checked baggage that Rivera had claimed. The bundles were field tested and reacted positively for the characteristics of marijuana. Collectively, the 12 sealed packages weighed approximately 13 pounds.
“CBP officers remain vigilant to detect and seize illegal contraband being brought into our islands,” said Todd Bellew, area port director, for the Office of Field Operations for the USVI. “Our CBP officers are highly skilled and will continue to intercept drugs from impacting our communities.”
This case is being investigated by CBP and the Department of Homeland Security. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nathan Brooks.
