A seemingly ordinary coffee container led to a substantial drug seizure at an Alaska airport last month. On November 11, law enforcement officials uncovered an estimated $27,750 worth of suspected cocaine stashed inside a coffee container found within a passenger's luggage.
The incident occurred at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. During a secondary baggage screening, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers observed what appeared to be a white, chalky substance. This discovery prompted a response from the Anchorage Airport Interdiction Team at approximately 6:55 a.m., according to information from the Alaska Department of Public Safety.
Investigators identified the bag as belonging to Walter Berry, a 58-year-old resident of Selawik, Alaska. The illicit substance had a gross weight of approximately 185 grams, or just under half a pound, and subsequently field-tested positive for cocaine.
Officials estimate that the street value of the seized drugs would reach $27,750 in the remote northwestern Alaska communities of Kotzebue and Selawik.
Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
Walter Berry was approached at the departure gate as he prepared to board a flight from Anchorage to Kotzebue, with Selawik as his ultimate destination. Investigators confirmed that Berry had possession of the luggage prior to it being checked for his flight.
Following the discovery, Berry was arrested and transported to the Anchorage Correctional Complex. He faces a charge of third-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance. The investigation into the matter is ongoing, with additional support from the Western Alaska Alcohol and Narcotics Team.
Other Unusual Items Flagged by Airport Security
This cocaine seizure is one of several recent instances where airport security screenings have revealed unexpected or prohibited items.
In a separate event, a passenger informed officers they had forgotten a grenade was in their bag. An explosives expert later verified that the device was inert and posed no threat.
Another incident at Tampa International Airport involved a TSA officer inspecting a passenger's carry-on bag. The officer noticed an irregularity with a flashlight designed to resemble a baseball bat. A closer examination revealed a 4-inch, double-edged knife cleverly concealed within the flashlight's structure.
Regarding such attempts to bypass security, a TSA spokesperson emphasized the agency's vigilance, stating:
"Do not try to test the system. If you do, you will be caught."