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A registered nurse from Amherstburg who works in Michigan faces charges in the U.S. after more than 150 pounds (68 kg) of suspected marijuana was seized at the Ambassador Bridge on Wednesday.

The nurse allegedly applied for admission to the United States and displayed valid status to work as a registered nurse, according to a news release from United States Attorney Matthew Schneider on Thursday. The nurse also had a placard issued by the Canada Border Services Agency indicating she was a first responder.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers allegedly found 143 vacuum sealed bags of suspected marijuana in the nurse’s trunk during a secondary inspection.

“At a time when health-care professionals are working overtime to keep us safe, it’s really shameful that anyone would exploit their status as a nurse to smuggle any kind of drug into our country,” Schneider said. “To stop the spread of the coronavirus, our Canadian border is open only for essential travel — and smuggling in marijuana simply isn’t essential.”

Terri Leanne Maxwell, 48, is charged with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute and importing more than 100 lbs of marijuana.

If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison.

tcampbell@postmedia.com

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