When you show up at an airport with $20,000 in cash asking for a private jet, it’s likely that somebody is going to ask questions.

According to Fox17, a man attempted to purchase the use of a private plane in order to fly from Tennesee to Califonia. The fact that he was paying with thousands of dollars in cash struck Nashville airport officials as strange. They alerted airport police who then questioned the individual, 33-year-old Conor Guckian.

When the police questioned Guckian, he claimed that he needed to carry the large amount of money with him in order to buy gold in California. His explanation for attempting to fly by private jet was concern for his personal safety. Despite the reason provided, it was noted that he had used commercial airliners to fly from Rochester, NY. to Chicago, IL, and from there to Nashville, TN, where he was apprehended.

FYI- this man was arrested for having cash, that smelled like drugs, nothing else. Police State Much? http://t.co/iEc0rOHDt5

— Michael St James (@michaelstjames) January 15, 2014

This is ridiculous. Now people get arrested for having cash on them? http://t.co/qSyuks89l9

— sydney (@killersyd) January 14, 2014

According to an affidavit, Guckian consented to a search. The police brought out K9s. During the search, the dogs reacted to the scent of a possible narcotic. Ultimately, the police discovered a whopping $153,000 in 32 bundles among Guckian’s belongings. The authorities claimed that the money wrapped in a manner consistent with drug money.

While being questioned about the money and his intentions, Guckian kept changing his story. First he said that he flew to Nashville to see a friend, but later said that he intended to depart from the location because of cheap flights. During further questioning, he admitted that he had been previously arrested in New York for possession for resale of cocaine.

Guckian also admitted to ensuring that his many bank accounts possessed amounts under $10,000 in order to avoid any government suspicion. Apparently he didn’t consider spending thousands of dollars in cash for private planes as turning up on anyone’s radar.

Guckian is currently being held at the Davidson County Jail on $10,000 bond.

Image via MorgueFile