JFK Airport Drug Bust

Mr. Hollywood says on Oct 16, 2007, 15:03:

Here's the link to the full story
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/16/jfk.drugs.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryv...

msaucey says on Oct 16, 2007, 15:48:

I'm sooooooooooooo glad that this did not happen in Colombia!...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

Man Tequila says on Oct 16, 2007, 16:19:

I had been to many other South American countries and liked them. I did not know anything much about Colombia, but picked up the Lonely Planet guide, was intrigued and somewhat reassured by the "improving security situation". My first visit I went to Bogotá and Cartagena. I saw the sights of Bogotá -- but was slightly paranoid about being in Bogotá at all, which was not lessened by having to pay for life insurance as part of my hotel cost, or the fact that the staff at the Hotel Morrison seemed to be very nervous about my decision to walk from the Zona Rosa to Parque 93 at night by myself without calling a cab.

But people were friendly and went out of their way to show me that Colombia is about its friendly people and vibrant culture, and not the unfortunate misconceptions many have about the place. Cartagena was surreal and incredibly beautiful and seemed like something out a dream and the mists of history. I fell in love with the place and have been back several times -- widening my comfort zones and travelling much more widely, spending too much time on PBH, watching telenovelas, playing Colombian CDs, reading what I could find about this odd country which stole my imagination and then my heart.

Anyway, the paranoid fears were coming back when leaving the country for the first time. After getting my suitcase scanned and paying the impuestos, I could not identify my suitcase just before checking in at Bogota. My luggage was gone; had been there two minutes ago. I raised a stink, and was told after thirty minutes (tranquillo, senor) later someone else had checked in my luggage, one with a highly unique multicolour band around it, by mistake. "But that this was no big deal."

Back into Canada, I made it clear how the luggage had been outside of my possession and I could not vouch for all the contents. Canadian custom officials being what they are, and they have always treated me well, they shrugged their shoulders and bid me a good day. Of course there was nothing extra in the suitcase pockets except for my fears and ignorance, but I guess you never know.

pues se me antoja que sus cantares son de una tierra desconocida, y yo le dije si a usted le inspira, saber la tierra de donde soy... con mucho gusto y a mucho honor...

toneloc24 says on Oct 16, 2007, 16:59:

Msaucey - it does, albeit indirectly. Colombia was mentioned in the reports, esp. on the DR end of it.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

Man Tequila says on Oct 16, 2007, 17:12:

Jaja.

(Post edited as makes no sense after morphus post deleted on carry-on paraphenilia.)

Morphus, you check or carry-on this crap? I mean I suppose any cabin might have stabbin' potential, though a mile high.

pues se me antoja que sus cantares son de una tierra desconocida, y yo le dije si a usted le inspira, saber la tierra de donde soy... con mucho gusto y a mucho honor...

bufalo says on Oct 16, 2007, 18:26:

didn't this also happen in Mexico aways back?

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

Man Tequila says on Oct 16, 2007, 18:38:

It happened in Toronto too, not a rare story.

pues se me antoja que sus cantares son de una tierra desconocida, y yo le dije si a usted le inspira, saber la tierra de donde soy... con mucho gusto y a mucho honor...

Aaron21 says on Oct 16, 2007, 22:07:

Mssaucey - you are joking right? This has happened so many times with Avianca a judge in the United States District Court in the Southern District of New York ordered that a private US security company be installed at El Dorado to not only oversee Avianca, but every other airline - three years ago!!!!

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nys/pressreleases/October04/aviancasettlemen...

And if you cannot download pdf files here you go:

http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/nyc101904.html

Remember, just because these things are not widely publicized does not mean they are not happening!!

Mr. Hollywood says on Oct 17, 2007, 10:26:

I agree with that, GIB. As much as I hate the delays checking in at El Dorado, I'd always rather have the credible alibi that my bag was thoroughly searched by the National Police before going on the plane.

I guess I'm paranoid because I had a friend in college who spent some time in a Mexican prison when a cop there framed him. He had rich parents and I think the whole thing was a setup. They paid a big bribe in the end and the kid was released.