Women Smuggled Cocaine-Filled Suitcases into JFK: Officials

Authorities say they've arrested two women in separate cocaine-smuggling incidents at Kennedy Airport last week, both of whom were spotted with "unusually thick" suitcase bottoms. 

Customs agents first intercepted Elisabethmone Lewis, a U.S. citizen, when she landed from St. Lucia on March 5. After seeing her suspicious checked bag, officers escorted her to a private search room where they discovered about 3 pounds of white powder lining her bag. 

On March 6, Anne Cadet, a Haitian citizen arriving from Haiti, was also escorted to a private search room, where officers found about 5 pounds of white powder in her checked suitcase. 

Both substances tested positive as cocaine. Lewis' cocaine was worth about $59,000, and Cadet's about $77,000.  

Each woman was arrested for importation of controlled substance and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations, authorities said. 

They face federal narcotics smuggling charges, customs officials said. 

Attorney information wasn't immediately available. 

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