Woman Arrested at SFO with 151 Pounds Marijuana Smuggling Attempt

Two separate incidents at U.S. airports highlight ongoing illegal attempts to smuggle marijuana internationally despite state-level legalization. At San Francisco International Airport, Diane Bahlawan was arrested for trying to board a flight to Frankfurt, Germany, with 151 pounds of vacuum-sealed marijuana concealed in four roller bags; she faces felony charges including unlawful transport of marijuana and burglary. Similarly, at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, a 31-year-old woman was stopped with 43.5 pounds of marijuana in her luggage also destined for Frankfurt, with Customs and Border Protection noting an increase in marijuana export attempts to Europe and Africa where prices are higher. Both cases underscore the federal prohibition against transporting marijuana across state lines and exporting it, even as some states have legalized recreational use. Meanwhile, in the UK, Danielle Shields was jailed for 21 months after customs officers found large sums of cash and vouchers suspected to be linked to drug money, highlighting the broader scope of drug-related offenses involving cross-border money movement. These incidents collectively illustrate the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating drug smuggling and related financial crimes across international borders.