MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A woman is facing a felony drug trafficking charge in South Florida after sheriff’s deputies said she was caught trying to smuggle two suitcases full of marijuana on a flight from Miami International Airport to London on Monday.
Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Begum Mulazimoglu, 22, before she boarded the Virgin Atlantic flight to Heathrow Airport. She faced a judge on Tuesday.
According to MDSO, a customs officer was hand-selecting suitcases for outbound inspection and noticed a “strong odor of marijuana” coming from two bags.
Investigators said they contained vacuum-packed marijuana totalling more than 65 pounds.
The report states that Mulazimoglu, who lives in London, claimed ownership of the bags. Deputies said she also had more than $1,000 worth of U.S. and British currency.
In court on Tuesday, Miami-Dade Judge Victoria Sigler laughed as she read details from the arrest report.
“It looks like you’re charged with illegal trafficking in 65 pounds of marijuana,” Sigler said. “Well, that would be heavy.”
Court appearance:
Attorney Jay White appeared on Mulazimoglu’s behalf, arguing for a $10,000 bond.
“Obviously she has no priors,” White said. “She’s a young lady.”
Prosecutor Nessa Eth argued for a $15,000 bond.
“She’s got no local ties,” Eth said. “There’s a minimum mandatory (sentence of three years) associated with the case. So I think it’s appropriate.”
Sigler went with the lower bond total after finding probable cause in the case.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Mulazimoglu remained in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
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