58 pounds of marijuana found in luggage at BNA

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A 24-year-old man on a flight from California was taken into custody after nearly 60 pounds of marijuana was found in two suitcases at Nashville International Airport (BNA) on Tuesday.

Court documents state that investigators were running luggage check on a Southwest Airlines flight that landed at BNA from Los Angeles on Tuesday, July 2.

BNA K-9 Officer Peggy reportedly alerted Department of Public Safety (DSP) officers to two grey suitcases, which had bag tags with the name “Eric Mendoza.”

Officers said they approached a man after he claimed the bags and explained to him that K-9 Officer Peggy alerted to his bags. When asked if they could search both bags, the man replied “yes,” but told them that his brother smoked marijuana and there might be drugs in both bags, according to an arrest report.

Inside one bag, 24 vacuum-sealed bundles weighing 28 pounds were found hidden inside a blanket with scented dryer sheets. Meanwhile, the other suitcase reportedly contained 26-vaccum-sealed bundles weighing 30 pounds also hidden in a blanket.

Investigators said they asked for the man’s identification, which identified him as 24-year-old Eric Mendoza on his California driver’s license.

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The total weight of marijuana found in Mendoza’s possession equaled up to 58 pounds, officials said.

He was charged with felony possession of marijuana. Booking records show he was released from Metro Jail just before 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 3.

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