A passenger arriving at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on a flight from the Dominican Republic was stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers on Tuesday after they discovered something hidden within the man's wheelchair.
CBP officers inspected his motorized wheelchair and found multiple packages of a white, powdery substance in the seat cushions of the chair. The substance was tested and came back positive for cocaine.
But just how much cocaine was hidden inside the seats of the wheelchair?
CBP officers discovered four packages of cocaine that weighed 23 pounds -- which is estimated to be worth $378,000 on the streets, per the CBP.
Alexander A. Lopez-Morel, 22, was arrested and charged with felony trafficking of cocaine, according to the CBP's news release published on Friday.
"This seizure demonstrates the dynamic border environment in which CBP officers operate at CLT," Barry Chastain, CBP Area Port Director Charlotte, said in the news release. "Our officers are determined to adapt and respond to these threats in an effort to stop narcotics reaching our communities."
Lopez-Morel's wheelchair and the massive amount of cocaine were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents, Queen City’s Border Enforcement Security Team, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for further investigation, according to the news release.
The Charlotte airport is known for being one of the busiest in the world with thousands of flights arriving and departing each day, but that doesn't mean it's easier to sneak illegal substances by authorities.
"Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is ranked among world’s busiest airports, with an average of 1,424 arrivals and departures and 118,636 people traveling to, from and though CLT each day, according to Airport Council International’s 2021 rankings," the CLT website said.
"ACI ranks CLT No. 5 worldwide for air traffic and No. 6 for passenger traffic, reflecting the Airport’s important role in the aviation industry and as the second-largest hub for American Airlines."
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