S,T THOMAS: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Field Operations officers arrested a woman attempting to smuggle marijuana into the island.
Deangelia D. Quintana, 30, made her initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller after being charged in a complaint with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
“CBP officers remain vigilant to detect and seize illegal contraband being illegally brought into our islands,” said Louis Harrigan, Virgin Islands Area Port Director.
Quintana arrived at the Cyril E. King Airport, on board a flight from Atlanta. CBP officers approached Quintana as she removed two bags from the carousel at the baggage claim area.
Quintana was taken to secondary inspection where CBP officers searched her bags and discovered a large bundle of plastic in each bag.
Within the plastic, CBP discovered approximately 23 kilos of what was field tested to be marijuana. When questioned, Quintana admitted that the bags were hers.
Quintana was detained pending preliminary and detention hearings set for Friday, March 4, 2016.
If convicted, of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, Quintana faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
All defendants are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
