CBP says 42 pounds of marijuana found in checked luggage at Atlanta airport, traveler arrested

Seizure occurred on an international itinerary departing Hartsfield-Jackson

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers reported seizing about 42 pounds of marijuana from checked baggage at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, leading to the arrest of a California man on state trafficking charges.

The case dates to Jan. 14, when officers stopped a traveler identified as Kash Berthelot, 41, at a departure gate while he was preparing to leave Atlanta on an international trip, authorities said. CBP officers escorted him and two suitcases to an inspection area for additional screening.

During the examination, officers found four vacuum-sealed packages containing a green leafy substance that field-tested positive for marijuana, CBP said. The agency reported a total weight of 19 kilograms, or approximately 42 pounds. Atlanta Police Department officers arrested Berthelot and indicated he would face prosecution at the state level.

What officials have and have not said

Authorities did not publicly describe how Berthelot was selected for inspection, whether the luggage had been flagged by a canine team or technology screening, or whether investigators believe the traveler was connected to a broader trafficking organization. Officials also did not disclose the marijuana’s origin beyond being found in the traveler’s baggage at the Atlanta airport.

CBP’s public account said the luggage was bound for France. Beyond the field test, officials did not release laboratory results, brand markings, or other identifying information about the packaging.

Legal context: state charges and federal restrictions

While marijuana laws vary widely across the United States, federal law continues to prohibit marijuana and restricts transporting it across state lines or exporting it from the country. In this case, authorities said Berthelot was arrested by Atlanta police and is expected to be prosecuted by the state. No federal charges were announced in the public statements describing the arrest.

Atlanta airport remains a key interdiction point

The seizure adds to a pattern of drug-interdiction cases tied to Hartsfield-Jackson, one of the nation’s busiest international gateways. In prior cases publicized by law enforcement, officers have reported finding large quantities of narcotics in passenger luggage on both arriving and departing flights, with suspects frequently turned over to local agencies for prosecution.

• Date of reported seizure: Jan. 14
• Reported quantity: 19 kilograms (about 42 pounds)
• Reported destination: France
• Arresting agency: Atlanta Police Department (state prosecution referenced)

Authorities described the case as part of ongoing efforts to identify and stop attempts to move bulk quantities of marijuana through passenger baggage on international routes.