A Texas man was arrested at a major Florida airport after authorities allegedly discovered dozens of packages of marijuana inside his luggage just before he boarded an international flight. Investigators say the drugs were vacuum-sealed and hidden in checked bags destined for the United Kingdom.
Texas Man Arrested at Miami Airport With 75 Pounds of Marijuana
A 23-year-old man from Austin, Texas, Harrison Oneill Tiernan, has been arrested after authorities say he attempted to take a large amount of marijuana on an international flight.
The arrest happened at Miami International Airport as Tiernan was preparing to board a flight to London Heathrow Airport.
According to reports, officers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stopped Tiernan and questioned him about the luggage he had checked for the trip.
Large Quantity of Marijuana Found in Luggage
During the inspection, authorities opened Tiernan’s bags and discovered numerous vacuum-sealed packages.
Investigators reported finding:
- 65 vacuum-sealed packages
- A green leafy substance
- The substance later tested positive for marijuana
Authorities said the packages together weighed nearly 75 pounds.
The drugs were reportedly tightly sealed, a common method used in attempts to hide odors and avoid detection during transportation.
Inspection Linked to Increased Drug Smuggling
According to investigators, the luggage search was part of a broader inspection effort.
Authorities said they have recently seen a growing trend of narcotics being smuggled out of the United States on international flights.
Because of this trend, officers at airports have been conducting additional screening and questioning of travelers leaving the country.
During one of these inspections, Tiernan’s luggage was flagged for further examination.
Arrest and Charges
After the drugs were discovered, Tiernan was taken into custody.
He was booked into the Metro West Detention Center in Miami-Dade County on March 7.
According to jail records, he is facing a charge of:
- Cannabis trafficking involving more than 25 pounds but less than 2,000 pounds
In Florida, this charge is considered a serious felony offense because of the large quantity involved.
Federal Authorities Declined the Case
Reports indicate that federal investigators initially reviewed the case.
However, federal prosecutors reportedly decided not to pursue federal charges because the amount of marijuana did not meet the required federal prosecution threshold.
As a result, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office took over the investigation and is handling the case at the local level.
Flight Destination: London
Authorities said Tiernan had planned to travel from Miami to London’s Heathrow Airport when he was stopped.
Investigators have not released additional information about whether anyone else was involved or whether the drugs were intended for distribution in the United Kingdom.
The investigation remains ongoing.
