Cocaine Found in Suitcase at Cancun Airport

Cancun, Quintana Roo — Members of the National Guard detained a passenger at the Cancun International Airport in Quintana Roo who intended to travel to Havana, Cuba, with cocaine concealed in the false bottom of his leather suitcase.

According to the corporation, the discovery was made as part of actions derived from the Mexican Government's National Security Strategy. Officers in the X-ray area detected irregularities in one of the pieces of luggage on the conveyor belt in the final waiting area lounge.

"Personnel were alerted by the anomalous images observed during the routine inspection, which led to the verification of the suitcase's contents," the National Guard reported.

With the support of a canine team specialized in narcotics detection, a positive marking was confirmed for the presence of a white powder, apparently cocaine. During a more detailed inspection, "the agents located a false bottom hiding a package," which was analyzed with a Thermo Scientific machine, confirming it was cocaine hydrochloride.

The passenger was detained on the spot and was read his rights according to the Charter of Rights for Persons in Detention. Subsequently, he was registered in the National Registry of Detentions and, along with the suitcase and the seized narcotic, was placed at the disposal of the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, where his legal situation will be determined.

"The National Guard reaffirms its commitment to the citizenry to inhibit the transportation and distribution of all types of substances that could affect the health of the population," the institution highlighted in its statement.