CBP Officer Jailed for Cocaine Smuggling on Delta Flight to Atlanta

ATLANTA- A former US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for smuggling cocaine on a Delta Air Lines (DL) flight.

The case stems from a 2020 incident in which the officer used his official status to bypass security and smuggle drugs on a Delta Air Lines flight from St. Thomas (STT) to Atlanta (ATL).

Photo: By Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland – Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-212; N750AT@MSP;12.10.2011/624al, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26712089

Delta Flight Cocaine Smuggling

In a serious breach of trust and duty, former CBP officer Ivan Van Beverhoudt used his federal position to smuggle over 15 kg of cocaine.

The incident occurred on January 10, 2020, when he boarded a Delta Air Lines (DL) flight from St. Thomas Cyril E. King Airport (STT) to Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport (ATL).

Traveling in an official capacity with a government-issued firearm, he bypassed TSA screening procedures typically required of all airline passengers.

Upon arrival in Atlanta, a CBP-trained narcotics K-9 detected his carry-on luggage during a routine inspection, which led to the discovery of 16 bricks of cocaine.

According to OMAAT, authorities were not acting on a tip; this was a random drug inspection, a common procedure on incoming flights from the US Virgin Islands, which are considered high risk for narcotics trafficking.

The investigation took more than five years to conclude. On February 24, 2025, after a five-day jury trial, Van Beverhoudt was found guilty on four felony counts:

• Conspiracy to import cocaine
• Importation of cocaine into the U.S.
• Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute
• Possession with intent to distribute

Subsequently, on July 8, 2025, the former officer received a 20-year federal prison sentence, followed by five years of supervised release.

US Attorney Theodore Hertzberg stated that Van Beverhoudt had “betrayed his badge” and emphasized that law enforcement officials who misuse their authority will face harsh legal consequences.

Photo: Cado Photo

CBP Corruption

Van Beverhoudt’s use of his official badge and firearm not only allowed him to skip standard airport security but also weaponized the trust placed in federal officers. His conduct represents a rare but dangerous example of internal corruption within US border enforcement.

While some drug smuggling cases evoke sympathy due to socio-economic circumstances or manipulation, this instance involved a deliberate, calculated abuse of federal authority.

No evidence suggests Van Beverhoudt was under investigation prior to the flight. The discovery was purely coincidental, raising broader questions about whether this was his first smuggling attempt or part of a larger, undetected operation.

Photo: Clément Alloing

Consequences

The sentence serves as a warning that law enforcement officials are not above the law. It also underscores the importance of random security checks, even for flights originating from US territories.

The case demonstrates the effectiveness of trained K-9 units and the need for ongoing vigilance, even within trusted agencies.

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