Cocaine Smuggled Into Newark Airport In Coffee Bags, Photo Frames

NEWARK, NJ — A man admitted that he tried to smuggle nearly three kilograms of cocaine into the United States via Newark Airport, hidden inside bags of coffee and picture frames, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Perez Omar Gibbs, 38, of Trelawny, Jamaica, pleaded guilty to importation of controlled substances, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The incident took place in January at Newark Liberty International Airport, prosecutors said.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office released the following statement about Tuesday’s guilty plea:

“Gibbs arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport aboard a flight from Montego Bay, Jamaica. Law enforcement officers discovered that Gibbs possessed approximately 2.8 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside two bags of coffee and four picture frames.”

The count with which Gibbs is charged carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a potential maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a maximum fine of $5 million.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 20, prosecutors said.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Keep updated with local public safety alerts at the Patch Newark Facebook page.