WASHINGTON — A Texas woman was arrested at Washington Dulles International Airport on November 23 after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers intercepted a large load of marijuana in her luggage. The woman, Du Li Park, 30, from The Colony, Texas, was caught trying to smuggle 71 pounds of marijuana destined for London.
On November 22, CBP officers were inspecting baggage being loaded onto a flight to London. While inspecting two hard-sided suitcases, officers found them to be unusually heavy. Upon closer examination, they discovered large, vacuum-sealed bags of marijuana hidden inside.
The total weight of the marijuana was 32.52 kilograms (71 pounds and 11 ounces). The street value of the marijuana in the United States was estimated at around $330,000, but it could be worth much more in London, where the price for high-quality marijuana can be two to three times higher.
After identifying Park through baggage tags, CBP officers escorted her to their inspection station where they seized the drugs. The marijuana was then turned over to Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Police, who arrested Park. She faces several serious charges, including:
- Felony possession with intent to distribute
- Transporting controlled substances into the Commonwealth of Virginia
- Narcotics conspiracy
This arrest is part of an ongoing trend of marijuana smuggling cases at U.S. airports, particularly involving flights to Europe. CBP has noticed a rise in cases where travelers attempt to export large amounts of marijuana, hoping to take advantage of the much higher prices for marijuana overseas.
In recent months, similar smuggling attempts have been intercepted, including:
- In April, MWAA Police arrested a woman from Houston who tried to smuggle 43 pounds of marijuana to the U.K.
- In March, a Maryland woman was arrested for attempting to carry 53 pounds of marijuana to Paris.
- In February, Virginia State Police arrested a man from California after CBP found 88 pounds of hashish in his baggage, also bound for Brazil.
In 2023, CBP seized an average of 2,339 pounds of illicit drugs every day.
