This airport incident looked minor at first, but it quickly turned into a criminal case. Deputies were called after reports of a passenger vaping THC inside an aircraft lavatory. The suspect was identified, questioned, and admitted to smoking the vape. What makes this case interesting is that the product was purchased legally in Denver, but federal airport rules created a completely different legal problem. >> They don't have everybody sit down. >> So, this happened about first. >> All right. >> Um, who was who was the >> standing in the different, but I can point them out cuz he's wearing a pissing dog hat. >> Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, can we get him out and get him up to the top so y'all can do your thing uninterrupted? >> Okay, yeah, so when he comes out, I'll just point him out if you want to take him out. Just see if everyone's already standing up there. >> And don't try to run. >> Okay. >> And whoever >> You what? Oh, I mean So, what do you like, creating a lot or >> Yeah, what what happened? What's that? >> Smoking weed in the lavatory. >> Smoking weed in the lavatory? >> Exactly, yeah. >> Okay. It smelled like Okay. Did you guys tell him anything like >> Yeah, yeah, we gave him a non-flight service uh >> boarding sheet. I told him to exit the aircraft. >> So, everybody put down >> Uh when I gave him the slip, I approached him and he still lights camera >> So, lights camera action. >> First smoke then action. >> I'm sorry? >> Smoke then action. >> Smoke then action? Okay. Yeah. >> What what what what number is this company? >> 55 18 32. >> Right? >> Yeah. 18 32. >> 18 30 >> See he has those yellow shorts. You hear me? He's coming out. He has the yellow shorts. >> What's up, man? Come with me, please. >> So, outside of that, is there anything I'm sorry, I don't want to hold you guys up, but is there anything else that happened? >> No, he complied. I gave him the IP, PR. He just said that I punched it. >> What is that? >> The uh form that we have to provide to the uh passenger when he breaks a law or responds to that. >> Okay. >> Whatever the officer wants to do. >> Okay. I appreciate it. Thank you. >> Do you have anything illegal on your person? We can go up to the top. What's inside of this? THC? Do you have the box for it? No? Okay. >> The first major turning point happens right here. The passenger admits the device contains THC and confirms he used it in the lavatory. That admission is extremely important because officers now have direct confirmation from the suspect himself. In a federal airport setting, possession and use of THC can carry serious consequences, even if the product was legally purchased somewhere else. >> Were you smoking in the lavatory? Yeah? Why'd you do that, man? You can stop right here. So, did they tell you Is this it? Do you have a driver's license? Yeah. THC. THC, you can even smell it. It smells like it's obvious. I said you have anything? Yeah. If you call dispatch, have him bring a test kit. And like I said, tie or something. Hey, what seat were you sitting in? 16C. Do you currently reside in uh South Carolina or Colorado? So, what are you doing in Texas? >> Um just going back to South Carolina. >> So, you have a connecting flight? >> Yes. >> Do you have your boarding pass for that one as well? >> That's That's what this is. >> So, show me your inbound boarding pass. And once everybody goes by, then we'll probably have you sit out, okay? How many times did you go in the laboratory and smoke it? >> Once. >> Just once? >> Yes. >> All right. Did you follow their instructions when they're giving you commands on the aircraft? >> Is that Just being honest. They told me you were being unruly, so I'm just trying to make sense of that part, too. >> I wasn't being unruly. >> Okay. >> I just said, "Okay." They came and said, "Hey, it smells like this." And I just said, "Okay." I didn't say anything to them. >> Do you have anything else illegal on your person or not? >> No. >> No? So, this is it? >> Yes. >> And where'd you buy it from? >> Uh dispensary. >> A dispensary in Denver? >> Yes. Fully legal recreationally. >> In Denver, not here. >> Listen carefully to the deputy's response. The passenger explains that he bought the vape legally in Denver. But the officer reminds him that federal law still applies at the airport. This is where many travelers get caught off guard. A product that is legal in one state may still create legal issues once federal transportation regulations come into play. >> And not federally, either, by the way. All right. Well, it's slow enough. So, gather your things. We're going to walk through an exit up to the curb side, okay? And you dropped the cord. You want to throw that in your pocket or something? >> I've got another bag in there. >> Do you want to hang back? >> Uh bag in there? >> Or American American can get it off. And they can hold it up. >> Yeah, >> so >> What What's the back look like? It's red and it's a roller bag that says Travelpro. >> What color? >> It's uh black. It's over probably row 17. >> Row 17? Oh, we can ask them. So, if I'm going to make Okay, so we're going to go out to with him curbside. Um what we're going to do though is uh you don't have a written statement form, do you? >> A what? >> A written statement form. >> Mhm. >> Okay, so I'll explain it to you. Um he has a bag so I'm boarding the aircraft and it's uh >> We're going to have to walk to the curbside, so it's still in there, just so you guys know. >> If y'all can just bring it out for him and then we'll come back and get it within the next 30-40 minutes. But we're going to take him out now to curbside, but that's still his property, so >> Okay, I can I can get that. Um So, you guys are flying out now? >> Yeah. >> Yes, yeah, we're aware. >> Okay, so where we at? >> But it's it's not it's not uh in the uh storage compartment, it's above. >> In the overhead? >> In the overhead bin. >> You were sitting in 16C, correct? >> Yeah. The bag is probably over like 17 or 18. >> Okay. And you're going out You're going out 14? >> Mhm. >> Okay, I'll I'll bring the bag out to you. >> All right, thank you. >> And then we'll see whatever you guys decide to do. >> Yeah, we'll be right outside on the curb. >> Okay, thank you. >> Thank you, sir. >> All right, give me a favor, drop your things. >> This is the moment everything changes. The encounter shifts from questioning to a formal arrest. The officer places the passenger in handcuffs and specifically cites possession of a controlled substance in penalty group two. Notice that the passenger remains cooperative throughout the interaction, but cooperation does not eliminate the possession charge or stop the arrest from taking place. >> Turn around, put your hands behind your back. So, you are being placed under arrest for possession of controlled substance listed in penalty group two, okay? AKA THC. All right, these are both double locked and I checked for proper fit, so they shouldn't hurt, all right? Do me a favor, walk this way. Watch your step. You got your stuff? All right, I got to search you before you get in the car, okay? Do you have anything on you that could stick me or poke me? No? You got anything in your drawstrings or uh or uh shorts underneath underneath these, or is that it? Yeah, he's fine. He's been cooperative. All right, if you take anything to the jail, you don't tell us now, it will be an additional charge, just be advised, okay? All right, do me a favor, have a seat in the cop car. Take a big step with your left foot first, it's a little easier. Think they'll need some new trimming in here. >> We're getting new cars, relax. >> You feel a little hot or cold a little bit? A little bit? >> In the end, this case highlights the difference between state cannabis laws and federal airport regulations. The passenger admitted possessing and using a THC vape. Officers confirmed the substance, and the encounter ended in an arrest. If you found this case surprising, make sure to like this video, share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe for more courtroom and police encounter breakdowns.