Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
44 Pounds Of Heroin Flew Into JFK In One Week
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 28, 2010
Modified Sep 28, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 28, 2010
Modified Sep 28, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Just a regular week at JFK! In a recent six-day span, about 44 pounds of heroin, worth $1.5MM was smuggled in on flights from Ecuador. Reportedly, in two cases the drugs were found inside of bags of powdered milk and coffee after drug-sniffing dogs honed in on the luggage. In the third incident, the heroin was discovered by customs agents, who found it taped to the body of former soccer referee Byron Moreno. He is now being held without bail.
In Moreno's case, drug-sniffing dogs didn't find the batch, and officials believe that "perhaps the heroin was contaminated or mixed with some other substance to keep the dogs from finding it.” It's believed officials became suspicious of his immigration records, which showed many recent, and short, trips to the States.
Tagged
dried milk
drug-sniffing dogs
drugs
heroin
jfk airport
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman spar over immigration, cost of living in debate
The Democratic incumbent repeatedly invoked President Donald Trump. The Republican challenger largely avoided bringing up New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
By
Jon Campbell
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 9:05 p.m. ET
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
ICE admits to using Roxbury, NJ warehouse site to process immigrants
By
Mike Hayes
Dolan's offer: Donations to Blakeman for Knicks tickets
By
Walter Wuthmann
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .