NJ Woman Hid 25 Pounds Of Pot As Christmas Gifts On Flight: PD

NEW JERSEY — A 23-year-old New Jersey woman who tried to hide 25 pounds of marijuana wrapped as Christmas gifts on a Spirit Airlines flight has been charged, United States Attorney Delia L. Smith said.

Ceestra Burgess, 23, of Irvington, was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute narcotics and possession with intent to distribute narcotics.

On Sept. 27, Burgess arrived in St. Croix on a Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale.

A Customs and Border Protection canine alerted authorities to the presence of narcotics in Burgess' checked bag, said Smith.

A search of Burgess' luggage found several vacuum-sealed packages wrapped in Christmas paper which contained around 12 kilograms of marijuana, said Smith.

If convicted, Burgess faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.