Woman accused of smuggling meth past TSA in peanut butter jars busted by Utah police

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A suspect attempting to smuggle meth through the Salt Lake City International Airport in Utah was busted after hiding the drugs in two peanut butter jars that were ultimately snatched by TSA security.

Officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department said that this investigation began just before 10:30 a.m. Thursday when members of their Airport Division were notified about a "suspicious item" found during routine TSA screening.

While peanut butter is considered a liquid by TSA and therefore is only allowed past security in amounts less than or equal to 3.4 oz, the operators of the security checkpoint were reportedly more concerned over a crystalized substance that could be seen in the first jar that was seized, rather than the 40 oz of liquid it was holding.

SLCPD Airport officers secured the luggage and took two individuals into custody while a detective conducted a search of the baggage.

During the search, officers said that they found a total of two jars of peanut butter, including the one initially confiscated, with over half a pound of crystal meth concealed inside the jars.

One suspect, 61-year-old Melissa Hoching, was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on one charge of distributing a controlled substance. The other person who was initially detained with Hoching was released.

SLCPD Chief Mike Brown released the following statement on this matter:

"We will not allow our airport to be used as a gateway for drug smuggling. The officers of the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Airport Division will continue to do everything in their power to disrupt drug trafficking. We are proud to have strong partnerships with the TSA and other federal agencies; and we are united in our efforts to help ensure the safety of the Salt Lake City International Airport."