California man arrested in Philadelphia for trying to fly to Ireland with 72 pounds of weed in check
A California man was arrested after customs agents at Philadelphia International Airport found more than 72 pounds of marijuana in baggage being loaded onto a passenger plane bound for Ireland.
Bryan Rodriguez, 34, of Monterey Park, was arrested Monday on felony charges of narcotics possession with the intent to distribute, Customs and Border Protection announced Friday.
After X-ray exams of the luggage on the plane revealed anomalies in two suitcases, drug dogs singled out both. At an inspection station, agents found black, vacuumed-sealed packs of marijuana.
At that point, Homeland Security Investigations officers seized the drugs and arrested Mr. Rodriguez.
The 72 pounds and 3 ounces of marijuana found in the luggage is worth about $160,000 stateside, but could go for up to $460,000 on Irish streets.
Monday’s arrest was not the first time a passenger attempted to use commercial air travel to smuggle marijuana overseas.
Passengers at Dulles Washington International Airport attempted to fly the drug to Nigeria on commercial aircraft twice in recent months.
In October 2022, a passenger tried to smuggle 10 pounds and 6 ounces of cannabis, worth about $30,000 in Nigeria. This past January, officials busted a flyer for 2 pounds and 4 ounces of weed, worth about $6,500 in Nigeria.
