JFK Cocaine Smuggler Tries To Host Party In His Pants (Again), Airport Officials Say

JAMAICA, QUEENS — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers had a moment of deja vu Friday afternoon, when they apprehended a man at JFK Airport allegedly trying to smuggle cocaine in his pants.

Mayobanex Ruiz Gomez, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, arrived at the airport on a flight from Santo Domingo and went through security inspection, Customs officials said. But as security personnel examined his luggage, they said, Gomez couldn't keep his poker face.

"During the examination," officials said, Gomez "exhibited numerous signs of nervousness."

The man was then escorted to a private search room, where agents allegedly found packages full of a white, powdery substance taped to his legs. The content of the packages tested positive for cocaine, officials said.

Approximately 5 pounds of cocaine — with an estimated value of $83,000 — was removed from the man's pants, they said.

Gomez was placed under arrest at the airport and turned over to the Homeland Security Investigations team. He's now facing federal narcotics smuggling charges, and is waiting to be prosecuted by the Brooklyn U.S. Attorney's Office.

“This latest seizure demonstrates our CBP officers being ever vigilant in protecting the United States from the distribution of these illicit drugs,” said Leon Hayward, head of CBP field operations in New York.

Image courtesy of U.S. CBP