U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Philadelphia weren’t playing around when they discovered cocaine and methamphetamine concealed inside a children’s game being shipped to London on July 30.
CBP officers examined the export air parcel manifested as “boardgame” and discovered a zip-locked bag and a vacuum-sealed bag concealed under a bag of cat food inside a box for the “5 Second Rule, Jr.” game.
The zip-lock bag contained 515 grams, or 18 ounces, of a white powdery substance that field-tested positive for cocaine. The vacuum-sealed bag contained 186.9 grams, or 6.5 ounces, of pink pills that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
The parcel was being shipped from Atlanta to its origination address in London after being posted as return to sender. Parcels may be returned to sender if the parcel was undeliverable to the Atlanta address – incorrect or nonexistent address – or not accepted by the address resident. Additionally, drug trafficking organizations may swap the parcel’s contents and post it returned to sender to give the appearance of the parcel being misaddressed.
CBP officers seized the narcotics. An investigation continues.
“This seizure of dangerous drugs illustrates how Customs and Border Protection officers expertly leverage our export enforcement mission to combat drug trafficking organizations,” said Cleatus P. Hunt, Jr., Area Port Director for CBP’s Area Port of Philadelphia. “CBP officers remain committed to searching for and seizing similar export and import shipments to deprive criminal organizations of their poisonous products or illicit revenue.”
The original announcement can be found here.