CHRISTIANSTED — A Florida woman tried to smuggle 14.61 pounds of marijuana in her checked luggage at the St. Croix airport, federal authorities said.
Yvette Simeina, 40, of Orlando, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute by person on board aircraft, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said.
Simeina appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge George W. Cannon, Jr., for her initial court appearance, Shappert said. The Florida woman was arrested by HSI special agents.
According to court documents, on February 23, 2021, Simeina was apprehended trying to smuggle marijuana through the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix after arriving on American Airlines flight number 382 from Miami, Florida.
Simeina was apprehended with several vacuum-sealed bundles containing approximately 6.63 kilograms of marijuana.
The case is being investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Rhonda Williams-Henry.
United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert reminds the public that an arrest warrant is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt.
“Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.” she said.