Woman caught at airport with over 40 pounds of marijuana in her suitcases, authorities say

ST. LOUIS (KMOV/Gray News) - Authorities say they found a female traveler carrying more than 40 pounds of marijuana in her suitcases.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, officers at St. Louis Lambert International Airport found the woman carrying dozens of pounds of marijuana in her bags on May 14.

Authorities said officers in Newark, New Jersey, told those in St. Louis that a enger scheduled to leave the United States was a subject of interest.

As the 31-year-old woman was leaving St. Louis to head to Frankfurt, , her two suitcases were inspected.

According to authorities, inside the suitcases were 38 bundles of marijuana that totaled 43.5 pounds.

“The sharing of information between our officers was instrumental in stopping this traveler from transporting 43 pounds of marijuana internationally,” LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, director of field operations in Chicago, said.

The woman, who was not immediately identified, and the marijuana were turned over to St. Louis Airport Police for further processing.

“I commend the CBP officers in Newark and at Lambert for enforcing U.S. federal law, which prohibits the illegal distribution of marijuana,” Sutton-Burke said.