Police HandoutEight packages labeled 'Champion' custard powder had a strong chemical odor and tasted positive as coke.

The proof was in the pudding.

Drug agents at Kennedy Airport found nearly 18 pounds of cocaine concealed in a bag of powered custard in the suitcase of a man coming to the city from Guyana, authorities with U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.

CBP officers arrested Godfrey Cassius, who was arriving on a flight from Georgetown, Guyana, on April 22 after inspecting his bag and finding eight packages of "Champion" custard powder. Its slogan is "Always a winner."

Officers opened the bags and found a white powder that had a strong chemical odor. The powder tested positive for cocaine, officials said.

Cassius, of Guyana, was arrested for the importation of a controlled substance and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.

The total weight of cocaine was about 18 pounds.

The sweet stuff would have sold for about $300,000.

"Cocaine is a dangerous narcotic, and CBP does its part in keeping these drugs off the streets." said Robert E. Perez, director of CBP's New York Field Operations. "Our officers are determined to protect the American people from these illicit substances."

Cassius is facing federal narcotics smuggling charges and will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the U.S. Eastern District Court of New York.

tmoore@nydailynews.com