Grammy Trip Turns Sour: Chicago Woman Nabbed with Heroin, Weed at LAX

LOS ANGELES – A Chicago woman is facing federal drug trafficking charges after authorities allegedly discovered over two pounds of heroin and nine pounds of marijuana stashed in her luggage at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) this week. The bust came just days after the Grammy Awards, adding a layer of sleaze to the already grim scene.

Beige White, 34, was taken into custody by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) special agents on Wednesday. She appeared in court yesterday and was ordered held without bond, with an arraignment scheduled for March 24, 2017. The feds aren’t playing games with this one.

According to a criminal complaint filed in United States District Court, White attempted to board a Southwest Airlines flight to Chicago with the narcotics concealed within her checked baggage. A routine image scan flagged something suspicious, leading Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers to a clear plastic bag containing heroin and multiple sealed bags packed with marijuana. A second piece of White’s luggage also yielded more marijuana.

Los Angeles Airport Police located White on her flight and escorted her off the aircraft. During questioning, White allegedly admitted ownership of the bags, claiming a friend had purchased her ticket and offered her $1,500 to transport the marijuana. She denied any knowledge of the heroin, a claim investigators are undoubtedly scrutinizing. White was initially released pending investigation, but was taken back into custody before she could board another flight.

“The Department of Justice protects our nation’s critical infrastructure, of which airports and airlines are an important part,” stated United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. A statement, sure, but it doesn’t change the fact that LAX is a known transit point for this kind of filth. White is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, a charge carrying a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison.

The investigation is being spearheaded by the DEA Los Angeles International Airport Narcotics Task Force, a multi-agency operation involving the FBI, LA Airport Police, LAPD, LA County Sheriff’s Department, Customs and Border Protection, and TSA. Assistant United States Attorney Reema M. El-Amamy of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force is prosecuting the case. Remember, an accusation isn’t proof, but the evidence appears damning. White is presumed innocent until proven guilty, but this looks like a locked bag and key situation.