In an interview room at the Atlanta airport, the customs agent claimed he was traveling to Maryland to meet a doctor, though “he could not identify the doctor or explain how the doctor would see him on the weekend and without a medical appointment,” prosecutors said.

Authorities searched his bags and discovered 14 packages of cocaine in one and two more in the other, totaling 17.8 kilograms, according to the release.

“A badge and a gun should be used for protecting the public, not for bypassing security to enable criminal activity,” said Special Agent Robert Hammer, who oversees Homeland Security Inspection operations in Georgia and Alabama. “Corruption in law enforcement undermines the public’s trust and makes all of our jobs harder.”

Van Beverhoudt was indicted last month on charges of importing cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

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