Nearly 5 pounds of cocaine found in luggage handle at JFK Airport

QUEENS (WABC) -- Immigration agents have arrested a man they say was smuggling cocaine in the rails of his rolling luggage at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Warren Hawk arrived at JFK from Guyana on June 5 and was proceeding through Customs when officers noticed the handle rails on his bags were unusually thick.

He was escorted to a private search room, where officers searched his baggage and found a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine.

In total, agents found nearly five pounds of cocaine worth more than $80,000.

"Officers continue to adapt to various concealment methods employed by these smugglers, and (Customs and Border Protection) remains ever vigilant in protecting the United States from the distribution of these dangerous drugs," said Robert E. Perez, Director of CBP's New York Field Operations.

Hawk was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations, and he now faces federal narcotics smuggling charges.