A British woman was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) this week after attempting to smuggle methamphetamine hidden in several T-shirts. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the woman’s unusual method of concealing the drugs was discovered during a routine luggage inspection at the airport.
The 31-year-old woman, identified as Sarah Jenkins, arrived in Los Angeles on a flight from London. During a routine check of her luggage, CBP officers found multiple T-shirts that appeared unusually stiff and heavy. Upon further inspection, the shirts were found to be soaked in a liquid that later tested positive for methamphetamine.
The liquid-soaked T-shirts contained a combined total of more than 5 pounds of methamphetamine, a highly addictive and dangerous drug. Authorities say that the meth was cleverly absorbed into the fabric, making the drugs difficult to detect without thorough examination.
“The sheer ingenuity of this drug smuggling attempt is alarming,” said CBP Officer James Barton. “While we’ve seen various methods of concealing contraband, this case is particularly creative—and dangerous. Methamphetamine is a serious threat, and we are committed to stopping it before it reaches our communities.”
Jenkins, a resident of Manchester, was immediately arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted, she could face a lengthy prison sentence. She was later transferred to federal custody pending trial.
The arrest has brought attention to the ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to combat the smuggling of illegal drugs through major international airports. Methamphetamine trafficking has become a growing issue in recent years, with authorities reporting a rise in the use of creative methods to transport the drug across borders.
In a statement, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) emphasized the need for vigilance in detecting and preventing methamphetamine trafficking, noting that the drug is often smuggled in large quantities from foreign countries, including Mexico and other international locations.
Jenkins is currently being held at a federal detention center, and authorities are continuing to investigate the source of the methamphetamine and whether it is linked to a larger trafficking network. The case underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in the battle against illegal drugs and their ongoing efforts to keep airports and borders safe from smuggling attempts.