- Guyanese-American to face cocaine smuggling charges in New York
A US resident living in Guyana was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport and charged with illegally importing a controlled narcotic after admitting to agreeing to smuggle 18.45 kilogrammes (about 40 pounds) of cocaine into the US.
Zacharie Scott, 22, was arrested on Friday after customs authorities conducted a normal secondary inspection of his bags at JFK airport upon his arrival from Guyana.
During the examination of his two suitcases, Customs authorities discovered packs of frozen prawns sandwiched between blocks of a white powdered material that tested positive for cocaine.
Scott allegedly informed authorities that he intentionally transported the goods into the United States in exchange for a payment of up to $6,000.
The cocaine’s street worth is estimated to be between $239,850 and $479,700.
If proven guilty, Scott faces up to 20 years in jail.
At his arraignment in Brooklyn Federal Court on Saturday, presiding Magistrate Judge Joseph Marutollo ordered that he be held in custody pending a bail hearing on Tuesday, January 23.