Man arrested at Bush IAH allegedly trying to smuggle cocaine in tamales

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man was arrested at Bush Intercontinental Airport after allegedly trying to fly from Houston to New York Wednesday with tamales packed with nearly 7 ounces of cocaine.

Investigators say the discovery was made when the 46-year-old El Salvadoran man man was picked for additional screening. During an examination of his bags, officers discovered a box containing 200 tamales.

When agents looked more closely, they say they noticed nine separate bags containing a white substance stuffed in some of the tamales. That substance would test positive for cocaine.

The cocaine was seized and the traveler was turned over to the Houston Police Department.