Police arrested 4 people at Atlanta’s airport on a flight from Seattle after they claimed luggage containing 174 pounds of marijuana, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Friday, June 4, 2021 (read story here).
The suspects all asserted either that “someone else packed the bag” or that they were picking it up “for someone else,” according to the cops.
Atlanta police offer this advice to travelers:
“Our advice is never to travel with a bag that is not yours or one that you do not know the contents of, and think twice before agreeing to retrieve someone else’s bag from an airport baggage claim.”
The suspects were identified as Nicole Golden, 47, of Columbia, South Carolina; Naly Tong, 29, of Tacoma; Keomanyvanh Tong, 33, of Yelm; and Jarvis Sheppard, 32.
While marijuana can be legally purchased in Washington, it’s illegal to transport it to another state, and it’s still illegal under federal law in all states .
Photo: If you see these guys loitering over your luggage, look straight ahead and keep walking.
The suspects should not have asserted anything. They should have asked if they were free to go, and if not asked for an attorney. It is the Atlanta airport and there are pockets of cops all over the airport. “This bag officer? I am stealing it for my dear old mum.”
The best advice is don’t do it in the first place.