North Texas woman arrested at Washington Dulles International Airport with marijuana-filled suitcases, authorities say
THE COLONY – A North Texas woman is facing felony drug charges after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers recently found more than 71 pounds of marijuana in vacuum-sealed bags in her luggage at Washington Dulles International Airport.
Du Li Park, 30, of The Colony, was arrested by Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police on Nov. 23, according to a CBP news release. Park has been charged with felony possession with intent to distribute, transporting controlled substances into the Commonwealth and narcotics conspiracy, the CBP said.
According to CBP, Park was identified through baggage tags, and she was escorted to the CBP's inspection station along with her two suitcases. The marijuana, in 60 vacuum-sealed bags valued at $330,000, was found in two hard-sided suitcases during baggage inspection for the London-bound flight, the release said.
Park and the marijuana were handed over to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police, the CBP said.
"Depending on potency, this load could fetch two to three times more in London," the release said.
Authorities say there have been increasing instances of U.S.-based growers and retailers smuggling marijuana to Europe and Africa, with similar arrests in February, March and April involving large quantities of marijuana and hashish.
"Bulk marijuana smuggling is illegal, and Customs and Border Protection will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold smugglers accountable," Marc E. Calixte, CBP's Area Port Director for the Area Port of Washington, D.C., said in the release. "Travelers who gamble with their freedom by smuggling bulk amounts of marijuana for a little extra cash may find themselves on the losing end of that proposition."
Earlier this year, the CBP said police arrested:
- A Houston woman for trying to smuggle 43 pounds of marijuana to the U.K.
- A Maryland woman for attempting to smuggle 53 pounds of marijuana to France.
- A California man for attempting to smuggle 88 pounds of hashish in Brazil-bound baggage.
- Two Nevada men for attempting to smuggle 73 pounds of marijuana in Paris-bound baggage.
Last year, CBP said its officers seized an average of 2,339 pounds of dangerous drugs each day.
