Ivan Van Beverhoudt, a former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, has been found guilty of importing and possessing over 16 kilograms of cocaine with the intent to distribute. The conviction follows a five-day jury trial in Atlanta.
"Van Beverhoudt used his trusted position as a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer to circumvent the law and smuggle dangerous drugs into our community," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. "Thanks to the diligent efforts of our law enforcement partners, Van Beverhoudt is now being held accountable and faces time in federal prison."
According to information presented during the trial, on January 10, 2020, Van Beverhoudt boarded a commercial flight from St. Thomas to Atlanta carrying 16 bricks of cocaine in two carry-on bags. He avoided TSA screening by traveling in his official capacity with his CBP-issued firearm. Upon arrival at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, en route to Baltimore, Maryland, a narcotics K-9 unit alerted authorities to Van Beverhoudt’s luggage, leading to the discovery of the cocaine.
Van Beverhoudt was convicted on charges including conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, importation of cocaine into the United States, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The Court will consider sentencing guidelines when determining his sentence.
The investigation is led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bethany L. Rupert and Bret R. Hobson are prosecuting the case alongside Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurel B. Milam.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office encourages families to learn about drug dangers at www.justthinktwice.gov.
For further information contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office via USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280.