Extra Padding a Bust: Woman at BWI Caught with Cocaine in Bra
A woman was recently caught trying to smuggle 2 pounds and 9 ounces of cocaine from Jamaica into Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The 35-year-old District woman split the cocaine into two packages and hid the large amount of drugs in her bra; one of the less invasive ways in which people try to transport drugs, but a common attempt at trickery that customs officials seem to be highly aware of.
According to a Customs and Border Protection port Director for the Port of Baltimore, “Narcotics smugglers will go to great lengths to conceal their dangerous drugs, and this is another unique concealment method…unfortunately for her, it wasn’t so unique that it fooled our highly trained officers even for a second.”
Although it has not been released at this time as to what charges the woman will face, she is likely to be accused of possession of cocaine, drug trafficking, intent to distribute, and even felony drug charges. All of these offenses have the potential to impose drastic changes in a person’s life, with consequences that may include lengthy sentencing with a slim opportunity for parole, fines amounting to thousands of dollars that can land one in debt, and years or even decades of incarceration. Additionally, undocumented individuals may also face deportation if convicted of drug offenses.
Substance abuse of illegal drugs is a problem that the United States has been working on diminishing for decades, especially since other crimes are often associated with drug offenses, such as violent crimes, weapons and guns violations, and even theft in some cases. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration takes drug crimes very seriously and will enforce the strict penalties that come with cocaine trafficking, which vary depending on the amount accused of trafficking, and if a person has been convicted of prior offenses.
The legal matters surrounding a Maryland drug offense are complicated and a person who is charged with such a crime requires an experienced Maryland drug crime defense attorney to ensure that his or her rights are protected under the law. Our skilled lawyers will determine if proper procedures were followed surrounding your arrest, investigation, and the use of a search warrant. The Criminal Defense Law Firm of Meng & Alpert, LLC, has helped numerous individuals accused of a variety of drug-related offenses in Maryland. We have a broad-range of knowledge and resources to build you the strong defense you need. Call Meng & Alpert, LLC today at 866-444-6363 for a free consultation.
Source report: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/25/AR2009082502539.html?wprss=rss_metro
