CHICAGO—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport seized nearly 70 pounds of heroin and opium worth $3M from the bags of three separate U.S. Citizens traveling into the United States. 
The three Minnesota residents, who arrived at Chicago O’Hare International Airport from Vientiane, Laos via Narita, Japan, were identified as Pa Yang, 57, Mai Vue Vang, 58, and True Thao, 52.
The incident unfolded on Tuesday May 10, when the three travelers were selected for a baggage inspection. During the baggage inspection CBP officers discovered 470 packets of a brown powdery substance concealed within bags of tea leaves. The packets containing the brown powder tested positive for opium.
“Today is a great example of how the officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection work daily to stop the illegal drug flow into the United States,” said Matthew Davies, Chicago Area Port Director. “Even though these would-be smugglers are trying new concealment methods each and every day, I just want to remind them that if they try to get through Chicago, we will catch them!”
The three passengers and 69.9lbs of heroin and opium were turned over to the Chicago Police Department for prosecution.
