Luggage scheme goes up in smoke

A Tacoma, Washington, man who allegedly went to the Whitefish Amtrak desk to retrieve luggage full of marijuana has denied charges against him.

At his initial appearance Thursday in Flathead County District Court, Marquise J. Constantino, 21, pleaded not guilty to a felony count of drug possession with intent to distribute.

According to court documents, two black bags rolled into Whitefish on a train early this month. On June 6, an Amtrak employee notified the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office that the luggage contained a “significant amount” of marijuana.

The train conductor told authorities that Constantino had called to say that he missed a train in Washington but the luggage left town. He allegedly requested that the bags be left in Whitefish for Constantino to catch up and retrieve.

On June 7, Constantino arrived in Whitefish and asked about the bags, according to court documents. He identified the bags and was arrested.

The two bags contained 12 pounds of marijuana and four jars of what authorities suspect is hashish, according to court documents.

Constantino allegedly told an agent with the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force that the bags started in Seattle and were bound for a customer in Wisconsin. He also allegedly claimed that he made more than 20 similar trips in the past two years.

Constantino could go to prison for up to 20 years if convicted. His next court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 7.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.