Fourteen people have been arrested in what federal agents called a massive drug trafficking operation out of California that has ties to Tennessee.
Among the people arrested were three baggage handlers for Southwest Airlines. They are accused of sneaking bags past security that were loaded with marijuana.
Nashville is one of a handful of cities where DEA agents said those drugs wound up.
Officials believe this scheme has been going on for several years. They said a group of baggage handlers out of California have essentially been hiring drug smugglers to pose as passengers and fly to other cities, carrying backpacks and luggage loaded with marijuana.
Court records show that at least two of those bags came through Nashville International Airport. (continue reading)