PHILADELPHIA, PA — Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at a Delaware County facility have seized 343 pounds of marijuana destined for the United Kingdom. This operation comes on the heels of a recent interception involving 170 pounds of cannabis intended for the same destination, highlighting a troubling trend in illicit drug exports from the United States to overseas markets.
The latest seizures occurred in two phases. On November 6, CBP officers confiscated 25 parcels weighing a total of 60 kilograms, equivalent to 132 pounds and four ounces. This was followed by the seizure of 52 additional parcels, weighing a combined 95.6 kilograms, or 210 pounds and 12 ounces, on the subsequent Friday. Collectively, the confiscated marijuana had a street value of approximately $1.5 million, with the potential to command significantly higher prices in London, depending on the potency of the substance.
In addition to marijuana, officers discovered a parcel containing two pounds and five ounces of hashish. The origin of these illicit shipments was traced back to multiple addresses in California, while their destinations spanned several locations across the United Kingdom.
These seizures are part of a series of recent actions by CBP aimed at intercepting California-grown cannabis being illegally exported to the UK. Notably, previous operations included the seizure of 170 pounds in 35 parcels on November 4, and 114 pounds concealed in the baggage of two women on October 22.
Cleatus Hunt, CBP’s Area Port Director for the Area Port of Philadelphia, emphasized the significance of these operations, stating, “Customs and Border Protection officers continue to seize an unprecedented number of illicit export parcels of marijuana, which illustrates both the value and the threats presented by the global marketplace.” He reinforced CBP’s commitment to enforcing laws and protecting public safety by intercepting illegal or potentially dangerous shipments.
Despite federal prohibitions against transporting marijuana across state lines and exporting it internationally, CBP has observed a persistent trend of U.S.-based growers, retailers, and criminal organizations attempting to smuggle high-quality cannabis to markets in Europe and Africa. These regions often offer substantially higher prices for marijuana, making the illicit trade a lucrative venture for traffickers.
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