JAMAICA, N.Y. — A woman who arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Thursday saw very little of New York City after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers literally seized her wheels.
According to a news release, Emelinda Paulino De Rivas, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, arrived on a flight from Punta Cana. After investigators noticed that the wheels on De Rivas’ wheelchair were not turning, they X-rayed the mobility device and eventually found a white powder that later tested positive for cocaine concealed within all four wheels.
The cocaine seized weighed about 28 pounds and had an estimated street value of $450,000, the agency confirmed.
“CBP stands steadfast and determined in working with our partners to identify the transnational criminal networks responsible for importing these deadly drugs into our neighborhoods.” Francis Russo, director of CBP’s New York field operations, stated, adding, “CBP’s mission is to guard the borders and ports of entry 24/7, 365 days a year to prevent these dangerous drugs from potentially killing our family, friends and neighbors.”
De Rivas was arrested for the importation of a controlled substance and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. She will be prosecuted on federal narcotics smuggling charges by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the U.S. Eastern District Court of New York.
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