U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers intercepted a total of 247 pounds of marijuana across four separate smuggling attempts at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, all involving luggage bound for London.
The seizures occurred between February 6 and March 19 and included loads found in the baggage of travelers from Baltimore, Los Angeles, and the United Kingdom. Officers also discovered nearly five pounds of hashish in one of the cases, with an estimated combined street value of about $675,000 in the United States.
Authorities said narcotics detection dogs alerted officers in two of the incidents, helping identify suspicious baggage before it was loaded onto departing flights. In each case, officers traced the luggage to the travelers and detained them at their departure gates. The United Kingdom traveler was deemed inadmissible and removed from the country, while U.S. citizens involved were released pending further investigation and potential charges.
CBP officials said the seizures reflect an ongoing trend of transnational criminal organizations attempting to transport marijuana to Europe, where it can command significantly higher prices. Despite legalization in some states, marijuana remains illegal under federal law, including transporting it across state lines or exporting it from the United States. Officials said enforcement efforts will continue in coordination with law enforcement partners to address drug smuggling at ports of entry.
