DEA: $37K seized at local airport had strong odor of dope
Federal prosecutors have moved to forfeit more than $37,000 in cash seized from two men flying out of Pittsburgh International Airport in February, saying the money smelled like marijuana and is indicative of drug trafficking.
The U.S. attorney’s office said in a civil forfeiture action filed Friday that neither man could provide a plausible explanation for having the money and a drug dog alerted on the bundles of cash.
Officers from a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration task force were alerted on Feb. 23, 2021, that two men, identified as Isaiah Hollis and Christopher Joseph, had proceeded through Transportation Security Administration screening in possession of bulk currency.
During interviews, prosecutors said, the men gave “evasive and inconsistent statements” about their travels and the money.
Both said they had been in Pittsburgh for a few days and were flying home. But agents determined that Mr. Hollis, who is from Georgia, was heading to Miami, while Mr. Joseph was flying to Nashville, Tenn.
Mr. Hollis said he was a rapper who had just performed two shows at a Pittsburgh club called “BLive,” according to the complaint. But neither man could provide any information about the venue, the dates or times of performances or contact numbers for employees. In addition, live music shows had been canceled at the time because of COVID-19.
When asked about the money, Mr. Hollis and Mr. Joseph said it was payment for two shows.
A search of their bags turned up bundles of bills secured by rubber bands totaling $19,379 for Mr. Hollis and $17,900 for Mr. Joseph.
“The currency also emitted a strong odor of marijuana,” the complaint said.
Mr. Hollis couldn’t name the person at B-Live who gave him the cash. He said his agent had taken care of everything, but he couldn’t name the agent, either, prosecutors said.
Later in the day a drug dog alerted on the money and agents determined that there is no such venue as “B-Live” in Pittsburgh. A check of the men’s backgrounds also revealed that Mr. Hollis has a conviction in Cobb County, Ga., for possession with intent to deliver marijuana.