Customs makes cocaine busts in N.J.

Customs makes cocaine busts in N.J. Customs and Border Protection said its field operations officers at Port Newark, N.J., seized nearly a half-ton of cocaine with a street value of $42 million during two smuggling attempts late last year.
   On Dec. 29 customs officers discovered more than 525 pounds of cocaine bundled inside duffel bags in the back of a container that originated in China and transited through Panama. The contents of the container were manifested as silicon solar cable and connectors destined for a company in California. During routine enforcement operations, CBP officers opened the container and discovered six duffel bags containing bricks of a white powder that tested positive as cocaine.
   On Oct. 24, officers discovered more than 330 pounds of cocaine bundled in duffel bags in the back of a container, which originated from China and also transited through Panama. The contents of the container were manifested as gummi candy bound to a company in Illinois. Upon opening the container, five duffel bags containing bricks of powder which field-tested positive for cocaine.