Drugs hidden inside beans seized at airport

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. - More than a half million dollars of cocaine was intercepted at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers said they discovered the drugs concealed inside uncooked beans.

Agents said they inspected one man's suitcase and found dozens of packages of red beans. Authorities said when they sliced open a bean they saw a white powdery substance. A quick field test revealed the substance was cocaine. In all, agents found a little more than 26 pounds of cocaine, with a street value of about $600,000.

The man carrying the suitcase was arrested. Authorities identified him as 40-year old Christian Rabanales. He was taken to the Clayton County Jail.

The Customs and Border Protection's Devin Chamberlain said “Our officers remain vigilant in disrupting criminal activity despite the creative concealment methods smugglers employ."