PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — A North Carolina man is due in court Monday after Port of Portland police say they found several packages of marijuana last week at Portland International Airport.
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According to court documents, police were called around 1:30 a.m. Friday, July 10, to the Checked Baggage Resolution Area after TSA agents flagged at least 8 pounds of marijuana in a checked suitcase.
Police determined the suitcase belonged to a passenger on United Flight 1820 bound for Newark, New Jersey.
Because the flight was still boarding, the passenger, later identified as Jihad Ibrahim Muhammed, 25, was removed from the plane and arrested.
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Police found a backpack containing more than $5,000 in cash inside one of the suitcases. They also found 30 unsealed packages containing nearly 31 pounds of marijuana.
Muhammed is charged with illegal import or export of marijuana items, unlawful delivery of a marijuana item, and unlawful possession of marijuana.
Police also reviewed CCTV footage that prosecutors say showed Muhammed checking the two seized suitcases.
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He was released on his own recognizance and is due to be arraigned at the Multnomah County Justice Center at 2 p.m. Monday.
