Quantcast

Charlotte Douglas International seizes over 2,300 pounds of drugs in 2024

Airline CEO wants airports to cap passengers at 2 alcoholic drinks to limit on-board disruptions
Emirates Will Buy 5 Airbus A380s From Lessor For $200 Million
Delta Air Lines named official airline of the WNBA
Pair Of C-Suite Officials Depart Wheels Up
LAX Receives Final Cars for People Mover Train
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines merger clears Justice Department hurdle, now faces DOT
Alaska Airlines flight attendants reject new contract, union says there's 'more work to do'
Elliott Investment To Push For 10 New Boardroom Directors At Southwest Airlines
Alaska Air Backs JetZero Blended-Wing Design
AI in Aviation Line Maintenance: A Strategic Response to Delays, Satisfaction, and Staffing Challenges
Air taxi service plans for 2026 Los Angeles launch at USC, SoFi and LAX
VistaJet Flight Brings Home Americans in Prisoner Swap
Air Canada Blames Paris Olympics On Decreased Profits
Delta passengers sue airline over refund refusals after CrowdStrike meltdown
Microsoft fires back at Delta after massive outage, says airline declined ‘repeated’ offers for help
Korean Air Confirms A Spacious Lounge Is Coming To The New Terminal One at New York JFK
VAS Aero Services to Acquire an Additional 17 Airbus A320 Airframes, Bringing to 23 the Total Number of A320s Slated for Teardown and Harvested Parts Redistribution
Delta CEO says CrowdStrike-Microsoft outage cost the airline $500 million
Boeing Reports $16.9 Billion In Revenue For 2nd Quarter With 5,400 Commercial Aircraft Backlog
United Airlines says flight attendant in Terrell Davis incident is no longer employed and NFL legend’s ‘no fly’ ban is lifted | CNN
Nepal Plane Crash Kills 18 After Takeoff - Airline Ratings
Southwest Airlines is getting rid of open seating | CNN Business
CrowdStrike Outage Caused 10% Spike in Air Charter
Aircraft Engine Maintenance and Repair to Peak in 2026, Worsening Capacity Shortage for Commercial Aviation, Says Bain & Company
Joby’s Electric Air Taxi Makes European Debut
The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation announces NLRB-scheduled vote to remove union officials
Families recount the horror of MH17 ten years on - Airline Ratings
777-9 Enters Certification Flight Testing - AVweb
Kompass Kapital Sets New Course with Airshare Investment
SATS, SIA Engineering Company and Changi Airport Group to Trial Autonomous Buses at Changi Airport
Charlotte Douglas International seizes over 2,300 pounds of drugs in 2024
Policy
Webp 9d8e4n9zvnq6npvse1f7c4oouh5n
Airbus A380 | Airbus

Drugs are frequently seized at airports across the United States, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport has recently added another 70 pounds to its total for 2024. This brings the year's total to over 2,300 pounds of drugs confiscated at this North Carolina airport. While it is unclear what type of drugs comprised the latest seizure, such incidents sometimes trace back to Mexican cartels.

Charlotte Airport has become a focal point for intercepting illicit substances entering the country. WSOC-TV reported that "So far this year, more than 2,300 pounds of drugs have been seized at the airport," according to the Department of Homeland Security. Channel 9 Crime Reporter Hunter Sáenz highlighted that some seizures have led investigators to violent gangs and notorious cartels in Mexico.

Hunter Sáenz interviewed Mike Morizio, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations. Morizio explained their efforts: “Our group primarily is trying to intercept drugs coming into the airport and also trying to intercept those narcotics proceeds leaving the airport.” He added, “We’ve seized everything from fentanyl to crystal meth to cocaine, heroin, marijuana, you name it."

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Morizio's team often finds drugs and cash hidden in suitcases as they work tirelessly to prevent illegal substances from entering the U.S. Morizio emphasized that “All that stuff that we seized...that’s out on your streets, that’s poisoning our citizens here.”

Despite these efforts, drug seizure numbers at Charlotte Airport are down compared to last year. Authorities attribute this decrease in part to successful interception efforts. Most of the seized drugs were marijuana; however, there was a significant reduction in marijuana trafficking through Charlotte Airport in 2024 compared with 2023.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department reports a 64% drop in marijuana seizures outside of airports compared with last year—potentially due in part to increased interceptions at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

While marijuana remains illegal under federal law—governing airports—it can still pose legal challenges for travelers despite state laws permitting its use. The TSA states: "TSA’s screening procedures are focused on security...TSA will refer [illegal substance discoveries] during security screening...to a law enforcement officer."

In December 2024, an incident occurred where a woman was arrested after attempting to smuggle 71 pounds of marijuana through Washington Dulles Airport.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Delta Air Lines will introduce new in-flight menu options created by celebrity chef José Andrés starting November 4.

Oct 25, 2025

The Blue Sky partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue launched today, allowing members of both airlines’ loyalty programs to earn and redeem points across the two carriers.

Oct 25, 2025

Air Canada is set to expand its presence at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) by introducing four new nonstop routes to the United States in 2026.

Oct 25, 2025

United Airlines has announced it will add 10 new destinations from its Chicago O'Hare International Airport hub starting next year.

Oct 25, 2025

The partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue, known as Blue Sky, has officially launched.

Oct 25, 2025

American Airlines will introduce its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft on December 18, marking the first time a U.S. airline operates this model.

Oct 25, 2025