Two Baltimore residents were charged with felony narcotics offenses after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted about 57 pounds of marijuana at Washington Dulles International Airport on April 16, according to a May 1 announcement.
The charges follow the discovery of multiple vacuum-sealed bags containing marijuana in checked luggage destined for a London-bound flight. The two travelers, identified as Carl Caran Raashad Henson and Tilesha Kelly Theresa Coles, both age 31, were charged by Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police with possession of controlled substances, transport into the Commonwealth with intent to distribute more than five pounds of marijuana, and conspiracy to commit drug offenses.
CBP officers located the drugs while inspecting baggage being loaded onto the aircraft. After identifying the travelers through baggage tags, officers met them at the departure gate and escorted them and their luggage back for further inspection. Officers found fifty vacuum-sealed bags containing a green leafy substance that tested positive for marijuana. The total weight was approximately 57 pounds, six ounces, with an estimated street value of $220,000.
“Transnational criminal organizations continue to carelessly profit on the misfortune of others by paying them peanuts to smuggle marijuana to Europe for higher profits. Instead of peanuts, these mules will be earning jail time and a criminal record,” said Area Port Director Christine Waugh. “These arrests should be a wake-up call to would be smugglers that Customs and Border Protection officers will find you and we will work with our law enforcement partners to hold you accountable.”
CBP reports an ongoing trend where transnational criminal groups attempt to move high-quality marijuana through passenger baggage or express air delivery services bound for Europe due to higher profits overseas—sometimes two or three times greater than in the United States. Despite some states decriminalizing cannabis use or possession domestically, federal law continues to prohibit transporting it across state lines or exporting it from the country.
Recent incidents include CBP seizures in Baltimore totaling 247 pounds across four shipments bound for London and another case in Philadelphia involving nearly 100 pounds headed toward London and Frankfurt. Nationwide last year, CBP seized an average of about 1,600 pounds of dangerous drugs daily at various ports of entry.
Criminal charges remain allegations until proven guilty in court.
