RDU police take down 3 men at baggage claim for trafficking more than 120 pounds of marijuana
Three men were arrested at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) Thursday after authorities said they caught them transporting more than 120 pounds of marijuana.
Authorities charged Austin Butler, Anthony Cummings and Brandon Brown with trafficking marijuana. Citations said the three men were transporting 121 pounds of marijuana.
They say Butler flew in from Las Vegas, and Cummings and Brown were at RDU to meet him. But a K9 alerted to marijuana in luggage and law enforcement officers were waiting for the trio.
One woman, who said she was on the same flight as the suspects, captured video of the chaotic scene after the flight from Las Vegas landed around 6 a.m.
"A man that was on our plane in regular clothing came up and stood right next to me, shoulder-to-shoulder," she said. "And when I look down, the next thing I know he's saying in his radio, 'Execute, execute, execute.'"
It was a dramatic scene at RDU's baggage claim as numerous law enforcement officers rushed in to arrest the three men.
The video shows authorities arresting a man in blue lying on the ground amidst a flurry of commotion.
The woman said it was a quick and coordinated effort by law enforcement. She said she saw even more commotion as she was leaving the airport.
The three men are facing the following charges:
- Austin Butler, 28, of St. Pauls
- Conspiracy to traffic marijuana
- Trafficking marijuana
- Anthony Cummings, 37, of Morrisville
- Conspiracy to traffic marijuana
- Trafficking marijuana
- Brandon Brown, 26, of Raleigh
- Conspiracy to traffic marijuana
- Trafficking marijuana
At least two of the three men arrested will be making a court appearance Friday afternoon.
