A 40-year-old woman was taken into custody at Charlotte Douglas International Airport after federal inspectors reported finding suspected cocaine and other drugs during a customs screening. Authorities detained the woman after her April 21 arrival at CLT, following a post-flight inspection.
Local booking records and reporting identify the arrestee as Elizabeth Trovato, who was booked on felony counts that include possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana, according to WCCB Charlotte. The station reports she was stopped after arriving on a flight from Miami and screened by federal inspection officers. Prosecutors in Mecklenburg County had not released charging documents as of the time of the local reports.
Family Ties Draw Attention
The arrest drew heightened attention because Trovato is married to former Maryland guard D.J. Strawberry, who is the son of former major league slugger Darryl Strawberry. A team announcement from Beşiktaş identifies his wife as Elizabeth Lynne Trovato. Coverage from University of Maryland Athletics has also profiled D.J. and noted his relationship to Darryl Strawberry. Those records indicate the couple have children together and that D.J. built most of his professional basketball career overseas.
What Authorities Say and What’s Next
Charlotte Alerts News reported that federal inspection officers said they discovered suspected cocaine, other controlled substances and marijuana after screening Trovato upon arrival, and that she was arrested in front of other travelers. Those details have not been independently confirmed by law enforcement. The outlet also notes that Trovato had an unrelated arrest in 2013, which local reporting describes as a separate matter. For now, the current charges remain allegations, and Trovato is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court, according to Charlotte Alerts News.
Airport Context
Customs and Border Protection routinely inspects arriving international passengers at CLT, and the agency has previously publicized multi-pound narcotics seizures at Charlotte Douglas, underscoring its role in policing incoming passenger traffic. Those prior interdictions highlight why travelers flagged for secondary screening can face federal and local follow-up when suspected contraband is found. Customs and Border Protection notes that arrests are treated as allegations and that criminal prosecutions are handled by the appropriate authorities.
