Fly Jamaica Airways crew member arrested at JFK for smuggling cocaine (in his pants)

On March 17, Mr. Hugh Hall, a citizen of Jamaica, and crew member of Fly Jamaica Airways arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport from Montego Bay, Jamaica and presented himself for inspection. Mr. Hugh was escorted to a private search room where Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers discovered four packages taped to his legs, all of which contained a white powder that tested positive for cocaine.

Mr. Hall was arrested for the importation of a controlled substance and was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. Approximately 9 lbs. of cocaine was seized, with an approximate street value of $160,000.

“This seizure is another example of our CBP officers being ever vigilant in protecting the United States from the distribution of illicit drugs,” said Leon Hayward, Acting Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations.

Mr. Hall faces federal narcotics smuggling charges and will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the U.S. Eastern District Court of New York.

All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty