Four passengers were arrested at San Diego International Airport (SAN) last week after allegedly attempting to smuggle over 150 pounds of marijuana on a long-haul flight. They were taken into custody after their luggage was inspected by US customs officials.
A search of the suitcases revealed more than 90 packages, but the travelers reportedly denied they were aware of the marijuana in their bags. However, investigators revealed that they were planning to be compensated for smuggling the drugs overseas.
“Targeted enforcement operations”
According to San Diego ABC affiliate KGTV, the four suspects comprised two men and two women. It is believed they were traveling on a British Airways flight from SAN to London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
Their luggage was inspected by a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer who was reportedly “conducting targeted enforcement operations,” court documents say. After viewing each of the suspects’ suitcases on an X-ray machine, the officer discovered “anomalies” that were consistent with narcotics.
Arrested & charged
A subsequent search of the bags uncovered 93 packages that collectively weighed 152.6 pounds. Each defendant reportedly denied knowing that marijuana was inside their luggage, but their statements to investigators said otherwise. According to the complaint, the defendants indicated that they were going to be compensated for transporting the luggage to London.
Further statements unveiled that one of the suspects was offered multiple incentives, including a plane ticket, hotel accommodations, a payment of $2,500, and additional compensation if they recruited other people to assist in transporting the drugs.
All four suspects were arrested on Tuesday and charged on Wednesday with exportation of a controlled substance.
Routine inspections
According to the CBP, all travelers are prohibited from possessing marijuana when crossing US borders or through a Preclearance checkpoint. Anyone who does not declare that they are in possession of the drug, including paraphernalia, is subject to seizure, fines, and arrest. Those who are not US citizens could be denied admission into the country.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows passengers to travel with medical marijuana in their carry-on bags or checked bags with special instructions. The agency says its screening procedures “are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers” and that its officers do not search for marijuana or illegal drugs. However, any illegal substance discovered during a security screening will be referred to law enforcement.
“Marijuana and certain cannabis infused products, including some Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, remain illegal under federal law except for products that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis or that are approved by FDA,” the TSA states.
Since marijuana is not legalized in every state, law enforcement will conduct inspections of arriving baggage at some airports. Earlier this year, Simple Flying reported that more than 160 pounds of marijuana was found at Nashville International Airport in less than a three-week period.
During routine bag checks, K-9 officers alerted of a smell coming from some bags. Marijuana is outlawed in Tennessee, and simple possession of the drug could result in a year of jail time and fines upward of $2,500.
