Woman Caught Smuggling $85K Of Cocaine In Suitcase At JFK: Feds

JAMAICA, QUEENS -- Customs officers at John F. Kennedy International Airport opened one passenger's suspiciously "thick" bag to find $85,000 worth of cocaine hidden inside, authorities said.

Diamonaire Smith, an American citizen, was arrested on federal drug smuggling charges on Monday when U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents allegedly found the white powder in her suitcase after her flight into the Queens airport from Trinidad.

During a routine baggage inspection, agents thought the bags sides felt "unusually thick," according to CBP. Inside, they found piles of the white powdery substance that later tested positive for cocaine.

Smith was caught with roughly five pounds of cocaine, whose estimated street value is $85,000, authorities said.

She was arrested for importation of a controlled substance and turned over to the Department of Homeland Security for questioning.

“Our CBP officers continue to demonstrate daily vigilance and excellence in detecting those who would try to smuggle illegal narcotics,” said Frank Russo, acting director of the agency's New York office.

Lead photo courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection