John McCarthy
FREDERIKSTED — A Dallas woman is free on bond today after federal authorities said she had at least 20 pounds of marijuana in her carry-on luggage.
Kieantia Thomas-Okeke of Texas traveled from Dallas to Miami before taking an American Airlines flight to Henry Rohlsen Airport on Monday.
A federal agent with a K-9 unit detected drugs in her bag during a routine inspection, according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
Thomas-Okeke is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, importation of a controlled substance into a customs territory of the United States, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute and money laundering.
In addition to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent finding 9.11 kilograms of marijuana in the carry-on bag, the agent also discovered $39,980 in cash in the suitcase and an additional $515 in a purse and backpack.
The woman was free Wednesday after posting a $50,000 unsecured bond. She told federal agents she was to be paid $1,500 for transporting the marijuana to St. Croix.
