A cross-border commuter is in big trouble after allegedly trying to smuggle marijuana into the United States.
According to the U.S. Attorney's office in Detroit, Terri Leanne Maxwell of Amherstburg was due to appear in a federal courtroom in Ann Arbor Thursday afternoon. The 48-year-old is facing charges of conspiracy, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and importing more than 100 pounds of marijuana into the U.S. from Canada.
If convicted, Maxwell could face up to 20 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider, who made the announcement Thursday with Christopher Perry of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, reminded anyone who is even considering such an act that authorities are still on guard despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
"At a time when health care professionals are working overtime to keep us safe, it’s really shameful that anyone would exploit their status as a nurse to smuggle any kind of drug into our country," said Schneider. "To stop the spread of the coronavirus, our Canadian border is open only for essential travel, and smuggling in marijuana simply isn’t essential."
Although recreational marijuana is legal throughout Canada, as well as the state of Michigan, it is still against the law to bring the drug over the international border.
The criminal complaint indicated that Maxwell crossed into Detroit on April 22, with her Canadian passport, U.S. work permit, and a Canada Border Services Agency placard showing she was an essential worker and a registered nurse. U.S. customs agents asked her to open her trunk, which was full and allegedly had an odour of cannabis. Further inspection of her vehicle allegedly uncovered 143 vacuum-sealed bags of suspected pot with a total weight of approximately 153.69 pounds.
Under U.S. federal law, the complaint is only a charge and not an indication of guilt. A trial cannot occur in U.S. federal court until an investigation is complete and there is an indictment.
