Passenger With Checked Bag Full of Meth Was Not Arrested Because His Plane Had Already Taken Off

Police in Arizona were unable to arrest a Utah-bound traveler found carrying pounds of methamphetamine inside his checked luggage because his plane has already departed.

During routine screening of baggage at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, TSA agents contacted Airport Bureau Officers to verify a suspicious item believed to be illegal drugs. Testing revealed the seized item to be two pounds of meth, FOX 10 Phoenix reported.

According to authorities, the scheduled flight to Salt Lake City had already left the gate with bag's suspected owner on board.

"The flight had already pushed from the gate, so the adult male traveler was not contacted at the time of the original investigation," a police representative was quoted as saying. "Follow-up will be conducted, and charges submitted to Maricopa County Attorney's Office for prosecution."

Phoenix police report that just last week, collaborative efforts with Sky Harbor TSA led to the arrest of a woman traveling with six bricks of Fentanyl hidden in her suitcase.