Homeland Security officials began tracking the flight of a single-engine airplane as it made its way to Texas from Medford. Oregon. On its way to the Lone Star State, the plane had a fuel stop in Arizona.
Federal agents were apparently waiting to take the pilot into custody when he attempted a landing in Bulverde, which is about 250 miles north of Edinburg. But the pilot apparently decided against a landing at the typically unmanned airport there when he saw law enforcement officials on the ground. The man was eventually arrested on federal drug charges at the Llano Municipal Airport after a landing there.
The arrest was after the man’s aborted Bulverde landing. From there he had reportedly flown to the Lago Vista airport, about 330 miles north of us. Officials say they believe that landing was also aborted when the pilot spotted law enforcement agents waiting on the ground.
After the 64-year-old pilot put the plane down at Llano Municipal, he allegedly tried to flee with a duffel bag in his possession. He quickly threw the bag and a cell phone aside as he tried to get away from pursuing law enforcement officials.
Police later said the duffel bag contained vacuum-sealed packages of hydroponic marijuana. Inside the plane, officials found 15 more bags that contained more than 200 pounds of weed.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, the man faces a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. A news report indicates that he faces a possible sentence of between 5 and 40 years if convicted.
The harsh terms speak for themselves. Anyone in similar circumstances should speak with a criminal defense attorney before talking to prosecutors.