NJ Officials: Suspects Smuggled Liquid Cocaine Past Airport Security In Bottles Of Lotion
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- A 16-month long investigation has netted 18 arrests in an international drug smuggling ring that officials said was nearly impossible to detect.
Hudson County Prosecutor Edward De Fazio said the suspects did trial runs and deliveries from Peru to the United States over several months to perfect their transportation method.
1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg reports: De Fazio says it was a highly scientific operation
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The suspects apparently masked the cocaine in bottles of lotion making it easy to store in luggage and get past airport security. The drug would later be converted back into powder and sold on the streets, officials said.
"It's a scientific process, obviously, that is not familiar to us," De Fazio said. "It is a very unique situation.
Investigators seized over two kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of $150,000, a loaded handgun and $30,000 in cash.
De Fazio said the alleged operation ran out of Hudson and Essex counties.
