by Miami-Dade County, Florida — A London-bound flight out of South Florida was halted before takeoff after authorities say a young woman attempted to transport more than 65 pounds of marijuana hidden inside two suitcases at Miami International Airport, leading to a felony drug trafficking charge and a judge’s stunned reaction in court.
The arrest happened Monday as deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office conducted outbound inspections on passengers scheduled to fly overseas.
Strong Odor Raises Red Flags at Airport
According to investigators, a customs officer was hand-selecting luggage for inspection when two suitcases stood out due to a strong odor of marijuana. Deputies opened the bags and allegedly found vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis totaling more than 65 pounds.
Authorities identified the suspect as Begum Mulazimoglu, 22, who deputies say claimed ownership of both suitcases. Mulazimoglu, who reportedly lives in London, was preparing to board a Virgin Atlantic flight headed to Heathrow Airport.
In addition to the marijuana, deputies said Mulazimoglu was carrying more than $1,000 in U.S. and British currency at the time of her arrest.
Felony Trafficking Charge Filed
Mulazimoglu was taken into custody and charged with felony drug trafficking, a serious offense under Florida law due to the large quantity involved. Officials noted that the amount seized far exceeded thresholds that typically trigger mandatory minimum sentencing.
Florida statutes impose enhanced penalties for trafficking cases involving high weights of controlled substances, and prosecutors indicated that the charge carries a minimum mandatory prison sentence of three years if convicted.
Judge Reacts During Court Appearance
Mulazimoglu appeared before Victoria Sigler, a Miami-Dade County judge, during a court hearing on Tuesday.
As Judge Sigler read aloud from the arrest report, she reacted audibly to the amount of marijuana involved.
“It looks like you’re charged with illegal trafficking in 65 pounds of marijuana,” Sigler said.
“Well, that would be heavy.”
The comment drew attention in the courtroom, highlighting the unusual scale of the alleged smuggling attempt for a commercial passenger flight.
Defense and Prosecution Clash Over Bond
Mulazimoglu was represented in court by attorney Jay White, who argued that his client had no prior criminal record and should be released on a $10,000 bond.
“Obviously she has no priors,” White told the court. “She’s a young lady.”
Prosecutors pushed back, citing the severity of the charge and the defendant’s lack of ties to South Florida.
Assistant state attorney Nessa Eth requested a $15,000 bond, telling the judge:
“She’s got no local ties. There’s a minimum mandatory sentence associated with the case, so I think it’s appropriate.”
After reviewing the evidence and finding probable cause, Judge Sigler sided with the defense and set bond at $10,000.
Defendant Remains in Custody
As of Tuesday afternoon, Mulazimoglu remained housed at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, pending the posting of bond.
Officials have not said whether additional suspects are being investigated or whether the marijuana was linked to a broader trafficking network.
Smuggling Attempts Remain a Focus for Authorities
Law enforcement agencies continue to monitor outbound international flights for drug trafficking attempts, particularly routes between the U.S. and Europe. Authorities say while most seizures occur on inbound flights, outbound smuggling cases are not uncommon, especially involving high-value narcotics.
Deputies emphasized that commercial air travel is closely monitored, and even vacuum-sealed packaging cannot reliably conceal controlled substances from inspection or detection.
Case Moves Forward
Mulazimoglu is expected to return to court as the case proceeds through the criminal justice system. If convicted, she could face years behind bars under Florida’s drug trafficking laws.
Authorities declined to comment further on the investigation, citing the pending legal process.
What are your thoughts on airport security and international drug trafficking cases like this? Share your views in the comments below.
