Customs officers in Cuba uncovered methamphetamine cleverly concealed inside a bag of rice found in a traveler's luggage at Havana's José Martí International Airport. This successful interception marks another thwarted effort to smuggle drugs into the country, according to official reports.
Wiliam Pérez González, the First Deputy Chief of the General Customs of the Republic (AGR), announced the discovery via his social media account on X. He emphasized the necessity for "high professionalism, cohesion, and integrated work" between the customs institution and the anti-drug agency to achieve this outcome.
The official shared images showing an open package of rice—seemingly, the Mexican brand Verde Valle's 140-gram tomato-flavored precooked rice—alongside a chemical test plate that tested positive, confirming the presence of the illegal substance.
Authorities have not specified the exact amount of methamphetamine seized or its origin. However, the rice packaging, which bore a health warning from Mexico's Secretariat of Health, hints at a possible route either originating from or stopping in Mexico. The identity and nationality of the passenger involved remain undisclosed.
In a comment on the post, Amaury Pila, head of the Department for Risk Management and Customs Confrontation at AGR, described the case as one of the "innovative ways of attempting to smuggle drugs into Cuba." He praised the "capability developed" by Customs and the Anti-Drug Agency to detect such attempts at the border.
This discovery is part of a series of anti-drug operations conducted at Havana's airport over recent months, which have successfully prevented multiple narcotics trafficking attempts. These attempts have employed increasingly sophisticated concealment methods.
At the end of March, authorities foiled an attempt to smuggle drugs in a suitcase with a double bottom. The deputy head of Customs reported it was the sixth drug trafficking operation detected that year, highlighting the ongoing persistence in trying to move illegal substances through Cuba's main airport terminal.
In separate incidents in February, customs officers discovered methamphetamine hidden in an electric coffee maker and baseballs, along with cocaine concealed in bottles and a rum bottle, in the luggage of two passengers who arrived on the same flight.
In January, marijuana was seized, disguised in cereal packages and instant drink containers. The use of food product packaging to mask illegal substances has become a recurring tactic for those attempting to evade customs checks on the island.
According to official government data, 31 drug trafficking operations were thwarted in 2025, with 27 kilograms seized from 11 countries, the United States being the primary source. Between 2024 and 2025, authorities blocked over 75 operations, confiscating more than 100 kilograms.
Understanding Drug Interception at Cuban Airports
How was the methamphetamine discovered at Havana Airport?
Customs officers detected the methamphetamine concealed within a rice package in a passenger's luggage through professional scrutiny and a positive chemical test.
What methods are used to smuggle drugs into Cuba?
Smugglers have employed various creative methods, such as hiding drugs in food packaging, electric appliances, and hidden compartments in luggage.
What has been the response of Cuban authorities to drug smuggling attempts?
Cuban authorities have increased their vigilance and collaboration between customs and anti-drug agencies, successfully intercepting numerous attempts with enhanced detection capabilities.