More than 200 pounds of marijuana seized in airport drug busts

Drug smugglers are using ordinary domestic flights to sneak hundreds of pounds of bulk marijuana into Central Florida, according to police records obtained by FOX 35 News.

Official response and confirmed impact

Drug smugglers are using ordinary domestic flights to sneak hundreds of pounds of bulk marijuana into Central Florida, according to police records obtained by FOX 35 News.

Undercover officers and drug-sniffing dogs with the Orlando Police Department intercepted the illegal stash during two recent busts at Orlando International Airport (MCO).

Both flights came straight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which police call a major source city for illegal drugs.

Investigators say the suspects used superglue, dryer sheets, and ripped-off luggage tags to try to trick police and bypass security.

According to retired U.S. Border Patrol Intelligence Agent Michael Cluck, drug organizations intentionally use domestic flights, mail carriers, and highway travel because they bypass international border checks.

"They can still exploit the border, get into the domestic areas, such as cities, such as places that are away from that border scrutiny," Cluck said.

"Once they get there, it becomes bulk into the United States. Then they break it up and put it in packages."