CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man was arrested Tuesday at Charlotte Douglas International Airport after U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers discovered 23 pounds of cocaine hidden in a wheelchair.
According to CBP, 22-year-old Alexander A. Lopez-Morel, a lawful permanent resident of the United States arrived in Charlotte on a flight from the Dominican Republic and was encountered by CBP officers utilizing an electric wheelchair to conceal packages of a white powdery substance.
After he underwent further inspection by officers, CBP officers said they found the packages within the seat cushions containing the substance that field-tested positive for cocaine.
“This seizure demonstrates the dynamic border environment in which CBP officers operate at CLT.” Barry Chastain, CBP Area Port Director Charlotte, said. “Our officers are determined to adapt and respond to these threats in an effort to stop narcotics reaching our communities.”
A total of four packages containing over 23 pounds of cocaine discovered inside the wheelchair has an estimated street value of $378,000.
CBP officers placed Lopez-Morel under arrest and the cocaine and wheelchair were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents, Queen City’s Border Enforcement Security Team (BEST) and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for further investigation. Lopez-Morel was charged with felony trafficking in cocaine.
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