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:
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 2023, CBP seized an average of 2,339 pounds of illicit drugs every day.
