CBP Issues Zero Tolerance Narcotics Penalty at BWI Airport

CBP inspects passengers and crew aboard each flight arriving from an international destination. CBP also conducts outbound inspections. One component of CBP’s inspection process is narcotics enforcement. Image courtesy of the CBP

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport assessed a $500 zero tolerance penalty to a U.S. man Monday after officers found marijuana and non-prescription Adderall pills in the traveler’s baggage.

CBP officers referred the traveler to a secondary examination after the man arrived on a flight from Reykjavik, Iceland.

Image courtesy of the CBP

During a search of the man’s baggage, CBP officers discovered and seized a marijuana cigarette, which contained 0.9 grams of marijuana, and two non-prescribed Adderall pills.

CBP officers released the traveler after the man agreed to submit payment for the $500 zero tolerance penalty.

“Possessing narcotics, even in small amounts considered for personal use, remains illegal and travelers face severe consequences, from costly civil penalties up to, and including, possible arrest,” said Dianna Bowman, CBP Area Port Director for the Port of Baltimore.

The Privacy Act prohibits releasing the traveler’s name since he was not criminally charged.

CBP inspects passengers and crew aboard each flight arriving from an international destination.

Casey Owen Durst, Director, Field Operations for the Baltimore Field Office
Casey Owen Durst, Director, Field Operations for the Baltimore Field Office 

CBP also conducts outbound inspections. One component of CBP’s inspection process is narcotics enforcement.

“It is Customs and Border Protection’s mission to keep illicit drugs out of the United States, and CBP officers are central to that mission,” said Casey Owen Durst, CBP’s Field Operations Director in Baltimore.

This seizure is a direct reflection of our commitment to enforcing all federal laws and regulations.”

CBP’s Office of Field Operations

Almost a million times each day, CBP officers welcome international travelers into the U.S.

In screening both foreign visitors and returning U.S. citizens, CBP uses a variety of techniques to intercept narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, prohibited agriculture, and other illicit products, and to assure that global tourism remains safe and strong.

On average, CBP seizes 7,910 pounds of drugs a day at and between our 328 U.S. ports of entry nationwide.

To find out more about a typical day for CBP please visit: CBP Typical Day 2016.

Travelers are encouraged to visit CBP’s Travel section to learn rules governing travel to and from the U.S.

CBP’s border security mission is led at ports of entry by CBP officers from the Office of Field Operations. Please visit CBP Ports of Entry to learn more about how CBP’s Office of Field Operations secures our nation’s borders.

Learn more about CBP at CBP.gov.