Women allegedly hid cocaine in hair pieces

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NEW YORK, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- U.S. Customs officials allege two women flying into New York from South America were smuggling cocaine under their wigs and hair extensions.

The officials said the women, who arrived Sunday at John F. Kennedy International Airport from Georgetown, Guyana, appeared nervous when they approached a customs checkpoint at the airport and officers felt bulges on the women's heads when patting them down for potential contraband, the New York Post reported Wednesday.

The suspects, identified as Kiana Howell and Makeeba Graham, were taken to the airport's medical facility, where their wigs and hair weaves were removed.

Officials said the women were found to be concealing form-fitting plastic bags on their scalps. Howell allegedly was carrying 35.1 ounces of cocaine under her wig and Graham is accused of hiding 36.9 ounces of the drug under her weave, officials said.

The women were arrested on drug smuggling charges.