Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Washington Dulles International Airport discovered over 28 pounds of cocaine hidden inside packages labeled as hot chocolate. The seizure occurred on October 5, when CBP was inspecting a food shipment brought by a courier from Guatemala.

The cocaine was concealed within ten packages, masked by layers of coffee grounds and chocolate bars. Upon testing with a handheld elemental isotope analysis tool, the substance was identified as cocaine hydrochloride. The total weight of the cocaine bricks was 12.88 kilograms, valued at approximately $900,000.

Although federal authorities initially detained the courier, he was released after prosecutors could not establish a direct link between him and the drugs. The courier's visa was canceled, and he was processed for expedited removal before returning to Guatemala.

"Drug trafficking organizations continue trying to smuggle their illicit narcotics into the United States," stated Marc E. Calixte, CBP’s Area Port Director for Washington, D.C., "but vigilant Customs and Border Protection officers are relentless in their efforts to intercept these smuggling attempts and to protect our communities from the scourge of dangerous drugs."

This incident is part of ongoing efforts by transnational criminal organizations attempting to use courier shipments for drug smuggling. Earlier in October, CBP officers intercepted nearly two pounds of heroin hidden in coffee packages from another Guatemalan shipment.

CBP officers and agents seized an average of 2,339 pounds of dangerous drugs daily last year across various ports of entry in the U.S. They work under CBP's border security mission at Ports of Entry alongside agriculture specialists from the Office of Field Operations to screen travelers and cargo for illegal substances and other threats.

For more updates on similar incidents or general information about CBP operations, follow their social media accounts or visit www.CBP.gov.