Student Mistakenly Held on Drug Charges Settles Civil Suit for $180,000

By Brian Cole

Published on January 04, 2007

Janet H. Lee is now a senior at Bryn Mawr. She was arrested at the Philadelphia International Airport in 2003 after three condoms filled with white powder were found in her carry-on luggage. Philadelphia Police said the substance tested positive for drugs.

It wasn’t until 21 days later that more extensive testing proved Lee’s story that the condoms contained only flour. She had spent all 21 days in jail.

As part of a dormitory ritual that took place before exams, Lee filled the condoms with flour for freshman to squeeze for stress relief. She found it so funny, that she wanted to take them home to California to show her friend, which is why the condoms were in her baggage.

Lee’s civil lawsuit had already been scheduled to go to trial in Philadelphia when she and her lawyer agreed to the settlement. She said she was relieved to settle because a trial would have meant having to talk about her negative experience and the effects it has had on her. However, with the case settled, it may never be known why the flour originally tested positive for drugs.

A settlement provision allows Lee to meet with city officials to discuss what happened.

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