New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
On July 2, two men arrived at Boston Logan International Airport from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Because the flight arrived from an international destination, all occupants were required to pass through Customs.
At 10:15 a.m. the first man, EZRA MENDEZ, 19, of Allentown, Penn., who was carrying a black “Slazenger” brand rollerbag as he was being screened. During screening the rollerbag was found to have an abnormality and the bag’s contents were removed.
The empty rollerbag was unusually heavy; screeners noted that the bottom of the bag was thicker and more rigid than similar bags. The empty suitcase was then brought to an x-ray machine, at which time the abnormality was clearly visible. The bag was then probed, leading to the discovery of two flat rectangular plastic-wrapped packages concealed within the bag’s liner. The packages contained a white powder substance which field tested positive for cocaine.
A short time thereafter at 10:25 a.m., ERICK DOMINGUEZ-SANTOS, 25, also of Allentown and who was in possession of an identical type black “Slazenger” brand rollerbag, was in the process of being screened when he began displaying various signs of nervousness.
All of that bag’s contents were removed, and again the rollerbag was unusually heavy for a bag containing no items. This bag was also found to have a thicker and more rigid bottom than similar bags. The empty suitcase was then brought to the x-ray machine at which time an abnormality was clearly visible. As with the first bag, screeners found two flat rectangular plastic-wrapped packages hidden within the bag’s liner. These packages contained a white powder substance that also field tested positive for cocaine.
The estimated weight of the suspected cocaine found within MENDEZ’s rollerbag is approximately three kilograms. The weight of the suspected cocaine found within DOMINGUEZ-SANTOS’ rollerbag is also estimated to be approximately three kilograms.
MENDEZ and DOMINGUEZ-SANTOS were subsequently placed into custody and are currently being held on a no bail status pending court at East Boston D.C. They are charged with Trafficking in Cocaine and Conspiracy to violate Drug Law.
