An individual was arrested Thursday at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina after authorities found 23 lbs of cocaine hidden in his motorized chair.
Alexander A. Lopez-Morel, 22, arrived on American soil Thursday after a trip to the Dominican Republic when he was arrested by officers from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
After examining the wheelchair, officers found four packages containing 23 lbs of cocaine concealed in the cushions of the motorized racing car. Such a quantity of drugs would be worth nearly US$378,000 on the street market.
“This seizure demonstrates the dynamic border environment in which CBP officers operate. [à l’aéroport international Charlotte Douglas]said Barry Chastain, CBP Regional Port Manager in Charlotte, in a statement. Our officers are determined to adapt and respond to these threats in an effort to prevent narcotics from reaching our communities.”
The drugs and motorized chair were seized by authorities, and Alexander A. Lopez-Morel now faces cocaine trafficking charges.