  In this letter, we use LHC data from the Drell-Yan processes
$pp\to\ell_i\ell_j$ (with $i\neq j$) to derive model-independent upper limits
on lepton-flavor-violating meson decays. Our analysis is based on an Effective
Field Theory (EFT) approach and it does not require a specific assumption
regarding the basis of effective operators. We find that current LHC data
(140~$\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$) already provides competitive limits on $B(B\to \pi e
\tau)$ and $B(B\to \pi \mu \tau)$ with respect to the ones obtained through
experimental searches at the $B$-factories. Moreover, we derive upper limits on
several decays that have not been searched for experimentally yet, such as
$D^0\to e\tau$ in the charm sector, and various semileptonic decays such as
$B\to \rho \mu\tau$, $B_s\to K \mu\tau$ and $B_s\to\phi\mu\tau$. Lastly, we
discuss the validity of the EFT description of LHC data and the impact of loop
corrections in our analysis.
