Sterling, VA. – The heavy scent of
perfume emanating from a passenger’s handbag couldn’t disguise her marijuana
from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Washington Dulles
International Airport Monday. Nor did it save her from a hefty $500 Zero
Tolerance penalty.
The passenger, a 20-year-old woman and
lawful permanent resident of the United States, arrived from Ethiopia around 8
a.m. During a secondary inspection, a CBP officer discovered two
heavily-perfumed plastic baggies in the woman’s purse. The baggies collectively
contained 2.5 grams of a green, leafy substance that field-tested positive for
marijuana.
Due to the small amount considered for
personal use, no criminal charges were filed. The woman paid the $500 penalty
and CBP officers released her.
“Whether its four pounds or 2.5 grams,
Customs and Border Protection officers are highly skilled at detecting and
intercepting illicit narcotics that passengers attempt to smuggle through our
nation’s ports of entry,” said Christopher Hess, CBP Port Director for the Port
of Washington. “Those caught face serious consequences – from a significant
monetary penalty to criminal charges and incarceration. This passenger learned
that costly lesson.”
For more on CBP’s border security mission
at our nation’s Ports of Entry, please visit the attached website.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged
with the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and
between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and
terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
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