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California man caught with more than 20 pounds of meth after random bag check at OIA

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando Police say a random bag check at Orlando International Airport led to one of the largest drug busts in the department’s history.

On Friday, Jan. 22, police say 46-year-old Eli Brown was stopped by a TSA agent during a layover for a random bag check.

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Police say the agent found several clear bags in Brown’s backpack with a crystal-like substance wrapped in clothing.

In all, police say they found 22 vacuum-sealed bags of what amounted to 22 pounds of crystal methamphetamine valued at more than $500,000.

Police also found $900 in cash.

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Brown told police he’d traveled to Orlando from the Los Angeles International Airport and was on his way to Louisville, KY.

He was charged with trafficking more than 200 grams of meth and is being held in the Orange County jail on $500,000 bond.