U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Washington Dulles International Airport say a routine baggage check turned into a major bust on April 16, when they intercepted roughly 57 pounds of vacuum-sealed marijuana in two checked bags headed for a London flight, and two Baltimore residents were arrested. The find led to felony charges and an ongoing criminal investigation.
CBP says officers uncovered 50 black vacuum-sealed packages that field-tested positive for marijuana. The combined weight came to about 57 pounds, 6 ounces, and the agency estimated the street value at roughly $220,000, according to LiveNOW from FOX. Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police charged Carl Caran Raashad Henson, 31, and Tilesha Kelly Theresa Coles, 31, both of Baltimore, with possession of controlled substances, transporting more than five pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute, and conspiracy, Patch reported.
How CBP Says The Search Unfolded
According to CBP, the luggage was first flagged during a pre-loading baggage inspection. When officers opened the bags, they found the vacuum-sealed packages inside. Agents then traced the baggage tags back to the listed passengers, met the travelers at their departure gate and escorted them back to CBP's inspection station for further questioning.
"Transnational criminal organizations continue to carelessly profit on the misfortune of others by paying them peanuts to smuggle marijuana to Europe for higher profits," CBP Area Port Director Christine Waugh said in a statement, according to LiveNOW from FOX.
Why Europe Is Often The Destination
Authorities say the price gap helps explain why Europe keeps showing up as a destination. CBP has noted that high-quality marijuana from the United States can sell for two to three times the U.S. price overseas. Similar smuggling attempts have surfaced at other airports, and ABC News reported a separate 59-pound marijuana seizure at Dulles last August.
Federal law still forbids transporting or exporting marijuana, even from states that have legalized possession, as ABC News explained.
Legal Implications
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police charged Henson and Coles under Virginia statutes that make transporting large quantities of marijuana with intent to distribute a felony. The suspects were booked and turned over to MWAA custody for prosecution, according to DC News Now. Criminal charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
