Border Protection K-9 Sniffs Out Cocaine In Suitcase At JFK

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A U.S. Customs and Border Protection K-9 aided in the arrest of a man who allegedly tried to smuggle cocaine into the U.S. through John F. Kennedy International Airport last week.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the K-9 named Ari "sniffed" out an arriving passenger's suitcase while inspecting luggage arriving from Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on July 15.

Elkan Barak Durham claimed the suitcase before being escorted into a room where the suitcase was searched and found to have contained a white powder that tested positive for cocaine.

The amount of cocaine that was seized weighed approximately 9 pounds, with a street value of $151,000.

Durham was arrested and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.

"Cocaine is a dangerous narcotic, and CBP does its part in keeping these drugs off the streets," said Robert E. Perez, Director of CBP's New York Field Operations. "Our Officers are determined to protect the American people from these illicit substances."

Durham faces federal narcotics smuggling charges.

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