PHILADELPHIA, PA — Two women were arrested and charged after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized 97 pounds of marijuana from luggage bound for Europe at Philadelphia International Airport, authorities said.
CBP officers intercepted 41 pounds of marijuana on March 16 and an additional 56 pounds on March 17 from checked baggage on outbound international flights, the agency said.
Authorities said a narcotics detection dog alerted officers to the shipments during baggage screening operations.
Pennsylvania State Police arrested Olgalisa Taveras, 40, of Yonkers, New York, on March 16 and Chelsea Anita Cromwell, 54, of Forestville, California, on March 17.
Both women are charged with felony possession with intent to distribute, according to authorities.
Officers stopped Taveras at a departure gate for a flight to London and stopped Cromwell as she attempted to board a flight to Frankfurt, Germany, authorities said.
Investigators identified the suspects through baggage tags associated with the luggage, according to CBP.
Authorities said Cromwell’s bags also contained approximately 500 grams of hashish products.
The seized marijuana has an estimated street value of about $375,000, officials said.
CBP officials said they continue to see attempts by criminal organizations to transport marijuana to Europe, where it can command higher prices than in the United States.
“CBP officers will find you and we will work with our law enforcement partners to hold you accountable,” said Elliott N. Ortiz, CBP’s acting area port director in Philadelphia.
Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, including transporting it across state lines or exporting it from the United States.
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