A woman from South Florida and her travel partner are being detained in a Cuban jail on accusations of smuggling synthetic marijuana through the Havana airport on Saturday.

According to CBS Miami, 20-year-old Melissa Acosta was making her third trip to Cuba in a month with her friend, an unidentified woman, Acosta's mother Jenny Valdes said. Acosta reportedly makes so many trips as part of the company owned by her "un-official in-laws," which transports suitcases of possessions for customers from Miami to Cuba, the local affiliate said.

"I just feel like I failed her because I let her go," she said. "I shouldn't have let her go. I made a bad judgment call."

Acosta was traveling with her grandmother, 5-month-old niece, and the mother of the baby.

"I haven't slept, I mean I'm scared. I want my daughter home," Valdes said. "She's a good girl. She's never been in any trouble, and I'm just scared for her..."

Acosta is charged with sneaking synthetic marijuana through the José Martí International Airport, El Nuevo Herald reports. According to CBS Miami, Acosta and her companions made it through customs. Before they could leave the airport, however, authorities checked Acosta and the other woman once more and allegedly found the drugs. It is unknown whether the drugs were found on the women's persons or in their suitcases.

"I feel she's been set up," Valdes said.

In addition, Valdes says Acosta has a learning disability.

"She's 20, but she has a learning disability and she's got the mind capacity of a 12 to 15-year-old," she explained. "So imagine being over there not speaking a word of Spanish and being strip searched, and she suffers from anxiety."

Valdes has spoken to Acosta but has not yet visited her. The mother contacted public officials, including Florida Senator Marco Rubio who CBS Miami reports is "looking into the case," for help. Valdes is also looking for a lawyer in Cuba.

"I know she's scared, but we're gonna figure it out," Valdes added. "We're gonna find someone who will help her."

According to the U.S. Interests Section in Cuba, the Interests Section cannot negotiate a U.S. citizen's release from jail because arrestees are subject to Cuban law, "but the American Citizen Services Unit can help protect your legitimate interests and ensure that you are not discriminated against. The American Citizen Services Unit can also provide a list of local attorneys ..."
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Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.

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