Atlanta, GA
Traveler stopped at Atlanta airport; agents find 42 pounds of marijuana
ATLANTA – Federal agents at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport stopped an alleged drug smuggling attempt in January after finding 42 pounds of marijuana tucked inside a traveler’s suitcase destined for France.
What we know:
Kash Berthelot, 41, of California, was stopped at the departure gate by US Customs and Border Protection agents in Atlanta on Jan. 14 and escorted to the CBP inspection station, where agents searched his two suitcases.
Officers found four vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana inside, according to the agency.
Following the discovery, Atlanta police then arrested Berthelot for trafficking charges. He is expected to be prosecuted by the state.
Dig deeper:
The bust highlights what CBP says is a nationwide trend of transnational criminal organizations trying to transport marijuana through passenger bags and express air delivery to Europe, where the drug can be sold for large profits.
Although some US states have decriminalized marijuana for medicinal or recreational use, it is still illegal under federal law. Additionally, federal law prohibits transporting the drug across state lines or out of the United States.
What we don’t know:
Officials did not say whether they believe Berthelot is part of a larger trafficking organization or where the drugs originated from.
Although the state will prosecute Berthelot, it is unclear if he will face federal charges.
The Source: Information in this report comes from a U.S. Customs and Border Protection release.
The Georgia Department of Transportation announced that a major weekend construction project, set to fully shut down two miles of I-285, has been postponed due to inclement weather. Atlantans are relieved, with many looking forward to more freedom to travel this Mothers’ Day weekend. Kim Leoffler has the story.
ATLANTA – An Atlanta flight attendant and mother of eight is among 17,000 Spirit Airlines workers struggling to find a new “destination” after the carrier suddenly shut down.
Spirit Airlines Atlanta impact
What we know:
Spirit Airlines ended all operations on Saturday, grounding its entire fleet and ending employment for its 17,000-person workforce. Flight attendants and customers were stranded across the country, often forced to pay for their own travel home after the discount carrier ceased operations.
Kamille Carter, an Atlanta-based flight attendant of five years, said she received the termination email from the CEO at 3 a.m., despite earlier assurances from union representatives that the company was stable. The company immediately cut healthcare benefits and stopped payments for sick leave and vacation time for all staff members.
Unpaid wages and benefits
What we don’t know:
It is unclear if Carter and her fellow employees will ever receive their final paychecks or if there is any legal recourse for the lost benefits. The company has not specified if any transition assistance will be provided to workers, some of whom had been with the airline since it launched in 1994.
Employee reaction in Georgia
What they’re saying:
“This is a death because you have to mourn, you have to grieve, it’s a process,” Carter said of the sudden job loss. Despite the financial strain of supporting eight children, Carter is looking toward her passion for cooking as a potential new career. She noted that while being uncomfortable is difficult, it can “push you to your destiny.”
Finding help in Atlanta
What you can do:
Community members looking to support Carter and other local workers affected by the shutdown can find more information on the FOX 5 Atlanta website. The station is collecting resources for those navigating the sudden loss of income and healthcare.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from an interview conducted by FOX 5 reporter Eric Perry, who spoke directly with former flight attendant Kamille Carter in Atlanta. Previous FOX 5 Atlanta reporting was also used.
The search for missing 16-year-old Benjamin Braithwaite is over. Atlanta police announced just before midnight Thursday that he had been located, more than a week after he vanished from his Regency Trace home.
The department shared the update on social media but did not release additional details about where he was found or the circumstances surrounding his recovery.
Braithwaite had been missing since the night of April 27, when he was last seen around 9 p.m. at his home in Atlanta. His family said they had no contact with him during the entire time he was gone.
The disappearance of the KIPP Atlanta Collegiate High School sophomore and basketball team member had galvanized the Atlanta community. His family, teammates, Atlanta police officers and neighbors gathered at the school last week to raise awareness about his disappearance. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where his mother works, joined the search effort — asking the public to watch for him at MARTA stops and fast food restaurants.
A $10,000 reward had been offered for credible information leading to his safe return.
“Even small details matter. Your awareness could make the difference,” the airport wrote in an Instagram post earlier this week.
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