Cocaine Smuggled In Jumbo Shrimp Bags Inside JFK Traveler's Luggage

QUEENS, NY — A JFK Airport traveler used bags of frozen jumbo shrimp in an unsuccessful bid to conceal cocaine he was smuggling into the U.S., federal authorities said.

Zacharie Scott, 22, told authorities during his Jan. 19 that he acted as a drug mule in hopes of a $5,000 to $6,000 payment, court documents state.

Scott, a U.S. citizen who lives in Guyana, instead faces a drug smuggling charge, authorities said.

He arrived in JFK on a flight from Guyana when he was selected for a Customs and Border Protection screening that led to a search of his two luggage bags, according to documents.

"Loose clothing and multiple packages of frozen jumbo shrimp wrapped in sealed plastic were inside the luggage," the documents state.

"Each of those packages contained a white powdery substance."

A field test revealed the presence of cocaine, with an estimated weight of roughly 18 kilograms, or about 39 pounds, according to documents.

Scott will remain behind bars at least until a Tuesday bail hearing, authorities said.

He faces up to 20 years in prison, if convicted.