Texas flight attendant pleads guilty to trafficking fentanyl across state lines

A Dallas flight attendant pleaded guilty to drug trafficking after she was caught smuggling fentanyl taped to her abdomen at San Diego International Airport.

Terese L White, 41, pleaded guilty in federal court, admitting she abused her privileges as a flight attendant to smuggle the deadly drug through Transportation Security Administration screenings.

White admitted in early October that while off-duty she flew from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to San Diego International Airport.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine

Terese White, 41, was on her way to catch a scheduled flight to Boston when she was caught with 3.3 pounds of fentanyl taped to her abdomen

She then returned to the California airport to catch a scheduled flight to Boston, Massachusetts. She attempted to skip a TSA screening using the Known Crewmember line, which speeds up screening for airline crew.

Despite waiting in that line she was selected for regular screening, which was when TSA officers discovered the concealed packages taped to her abdomen.

She set off the metal detector and was sent to a body scanner.

Inside a private screening room, she removed an item strapped to her body.

She initially told law enforcement that the package was 'not what you think,' claiming it was a weight loss device she received from a colleague. 

The packages contained more than three pounds of fentanyl, according to the Justice Department.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine and overdoses from it have been a leading cause of death among Americans for several years. 

White was charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. She was dismissed by the company she worked for, which provides major airlines with pilots and flight attendants.

Following her admission of guilt, White is scheduled to be sentenced on March 24 by US District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo.

Her actions could land her behind bars for up to 20 years.

When she was first apprehended, White reportedly told law enforcement officers that the packs of fentanyl were 'not what you think'

The flight attendant, who worked for a company that staffed major airlines with attendants and pilots, was fired after the incident

DEA Special Agent in Charge Shelly Howe said, 'Drug traffickers use air, land and sea for personal gain, putting people's lives in danger.'

'We will continue the great work with our partners to bring traffickers to justice and keep our community safe.'

Fentanyl is frequently mixed with cocaine and other stimulants and sometimes consumed unknowingly by recreational drug users.

As the number of US deaths related to synthetic opioids climbed to 70,000 last year, public health officials continue to sound the alarm over the extremely potent nature of fentanyl.

The number of US deaths related to synthetic opioids climbed to 70,000 last year, as public officials continue to sound the alarm over the national crisis