When airport security at San Francisco International Airport flagged four suspiciously heavy roller bags earlier this month, nobody could have guessed they’d uncover a drug smuggling operation brazen enough to pack 151 pounds of cannabis into checked luggage. But that’s exactly what they found on May 6, when authorities intercepted Diane Bahlawan, 34, attempting to board a United Airlines flight bound for Frankfurt, Germany.
This arrest highlights a growing problem: California’s reckless, permissive stance on drugs is now spilling beyond our borders, threatening America’s image and security abroad. It is a stark reminder that when liberal cities abandon law and order, the consequences ripple far beyond their localities.
San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe described this bust as highly unusual for his office, stating, “It is unusual for my office to get a marijuana transportation case through the airport that involves [this] much marijuana,” as reported by Fox News Digital. This isn’t your typical small-time drug charge; this is the type of case normally handled by federal authorities. Yet, here we are, witnessing local prosecutors forced to step up because the feds are overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of drug trafficking flooding out of liberal havens like San Francisco.
Consider this: inside Bahlawan’s luggage were 131 vacuum-sealed bags of cannabis. Alongside the drugs, authorities seized her cellphone, boarding pass, and nearly a thousand dollars in cash. The audacity of attempting to smuggle over 150 pounds of drugs internationally is astonishing, but it reflects the dangerous normalization of marijuana trafficking in states that prioritize woke politics over public safety.
The Biden administration’s legacy of weak border and lax drug policies still haunts America, even under President Trump’s resolute leadership. It’s a bitter reminder of the damage done when leftist policies put virtue-signaling ahead of protecting American families. President Trump has tirelessly worked to restore law and order, yet the remnants of past negligence still emerge, challenging our nation’s security and well-being.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Earlier this year at the same airport, a 25-year-old Australian national was arrested after being caught with 44 pounds of methamphetamine. And just last month, Customs and Border Protection officers seized approximately 150,000 illegal cigarettes from passengers disembarking from a cruise in Long Beach, California. These aren’t minor infractions—they’re symptoms of a deeper cultural rot, fostered by liberal governance that refuses to uphold the rule of law.
San Francisco, a once-proud American city, is now known worldwide for rampant drug abuse, homelessness, and crime. Its leaders have effectively turned a blind eye, allowing dangerous practices to flourish unchecked. It is no wonder criminals feel emboldened; they’ve learned that consequences are minimal, laws are flexible, and accountability is practically nonexistent.
America First means protecting our citizens, our communities, and our borders. It means standing firm against drugs and crime, not coddling them. President Trump understands this clearly, which is why his administration has prioritized border security, tough stance against drug trafficking, and unwavering support for law enforcement.
As Diane Bahlawan awaits her arraignment scheduled for June 2, we must remember what’s at stake. Laws exist for a reason, and when they’re disregarded, chaos inevitably follows. This drug bust at San Francisco airport isn’t just about one woman or one shipment; it’s a stark illustration of a wider crisis. It’s a call to action—a demand for policies that prioritize Americans’ safety over progressive fantasies.
Let this serve as a wake-up call to all Americans: liberal permissiveness has real-world consequences. It’s high time we reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law. Our communities, our children, and our nation’s future depend on it.