More than 200 pounds of marijuana were intercepted at Orlando International Airport (MCO) after being transported from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) this summer, according to police records obtained by FOX 35 Orlando. The drugs were seized during two separate operations conducted by undercover officers from the Orlando Police Department (OPD) and drug-sniffing K-9s.
The first bust occurred on May 7, when officers discovered 57.6 pounds of marijuana packed in 50 vacuum-sealed bags, which were wrapped in blankets and concealed with dryer sheets. The second bust took place on July 1, resulting in the seizure of 144.4 pounds of marijuana found in suitcases that had been glued shut.
The suspects, identified as individuals in their 20s, are facing felony drug trafficking charges. Keith Jeffries, vice president of K2 Security Screening Group, noted that drug smuggling can occur in various ways, including potential assistance from airport or airline employees or the use of drug mules. He mentioned that it is unclear how the drugs were transported onto the flights in this instance, but law enforcement may have received tips from confidential informants.
Jeffries, who has held positions with the TSA, stated that drug trafficking can occur on any domestic route, particularly in tourist destinations like Orlando. He emphasized that TSA officers do not specifically search for illegal drugs; rather, they refer any suspected narcotics to law enforcement for further investigation.
In recent weeks, TSA officers have made other unusual discoveries during screenings, including a pocketknife concealed inside a tube of toothpaste at Dallas Love Field Airport and a knife hidden inside a baseball bat-shaped flashlight at Tampa International Airport. FOX 35 has reached out to the Orlando Police Department for additional information regarding the marijuana seizures.