Over the weekend, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized US$600,000 worth of cocaine that was on a flight that arrived at the Philadelphia International Airport from Montego Bay, Jamaica. There were no arrests made in the Saturday evening bust, though investigations are still being carried out.

The drugs were found hidden behind an access panel in the cargo hold of the plane by Philadelphia CBP officers as they conducted a cabin sweep and a cargo hold inspection. They were being held in two drawstring-style backpacks. Each backpack contained four brick-shaped objects consisting of a white, powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine. When weighed, the substance measured 19 pounds, 9 ounces combined.

Inspection operations are routinely conducted on flights arriving from locations that are known for being narcotics source nations or transportation hubs. In June, a cocaine seizure of note occurred. CBP officers arrested Italian man Fabio Dalloco, 45, for smuggling 14 pounds of cocaine to PHL on a flight from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

“Narcotics interdiction remains a CBP enforcement priority, and a mission that we take very seriously. We are pleased that these dangerous drugs will not reach our city’s streets,” said Susan Stranieri, CBP Port Director for the Area Port of Philadelphia. “CBP remains vigilant at our nation’s borders, and we’ll continue to do our part to help keep our communities safe.”

On a typical day, CBP seizes 10,327 pounds of drugs at and between the US’ 328 ports of entry. In addition to narcotics enforcement, CBP routinely conducts inspection operations on arriving and departing international flights and intercepts unreported currency, weapons, prohibited agriculture products, and other illicit items.