44 Pounds of Marijuana Found at Nashville Airport

Image: PHOTO: Marijuana. (photo via Flickr/Katheirne Hitt)
Image: PHOTO: Marijuana. (photo via Flickr/Katheirne Hitt)
Monica Poling
by Monica Poling
Last updated: 3:11 PM ET, Sun November 26, 2017

In airline parlance, the acronym UM usually refers to a child traveling alone, or unaccompanied minor.

At the Nashville International Airport earlier this week, the term could well have been used to describe more than 40 pounds of "unclaimed marijuana."

The contraband came to Nashville via a Delta flight from Seattle, and arrived just after 11 p.m., on Tuesday. When no passenger appeared at baggage claim to retrieve the bag, airline personnel inspected the luggage, which is when they found the stash, according to Fox 17 Nashville.

They then turned the bag over to airport police, who ultimately reported 44 pounds of marijuana inside the suitcase. Incidentally, 50 pounds is the maximum weight allowance for Delta's first checked bag, according to Delta.com.

For reasons unknown, the passenger eventually showed up at the airport the following day, on Wednesday around 3 p.m., at which time he was taken into custody, "without incident."

According to Fox News, the man is identified as 43-year-old George Nellans. He is being held in jail for a felony drug offense and scheduled to appear in court on November 29.

Marijuana lovers based in Seattle seem to have an affinity for Delta Air Lines. Earlier this year, an unruly passenger caused a Delta flight bound for Beijing to return to Seattle Tacoma after displaying aggressive behavior, which he later blamed on edible marijuana.

Nashville International Airport has also had its share of unusual incidences this year. In August, sewage water from the women's toilet sprayed the baggage of about 380 travelers at the facility. Last year, the airport was forced to deal with a naked man, who entered the facility fully disrobed and lined up to purchase a ticket.


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Monica Poling

Monica Poling

Monica Poling, the evening and weekend editor at TravelPulse.com, has been writing about travel for more than 20 years. Although she enjoys far-flung experiences, she is equally obsessed with the off-the-beaten-path destinations in her own backyard. Read about her latest travel experiences on her blog, www.travelglitter.com.

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