Marijuana with a street value of between $600,000 and $1 million was seized from a small private passenger jet that landed at Allen County Airport Friday evening.
“We got a tip from DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) and the Highway Patrol that the plane might have landed here,” said Sheriff Bryan Murphy.
The jet in question was taking on fuel when officials arrived at the airport.
“The jet was scheduled to land at Burlington, where DEA and KHP officers were waiting, but then was lost when it flew under radar and landed here,” Murphy said.
The plane’s tail number verified it was the suspected craft carrying what turned out to be eight large parcels of marijuana.
Murphy and Deputy Anthony Maness checked the pilot’s identification, and found he lacked a pilot license or medical card. A check with the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed he could not legally fly without a license, which gave local officers reason to keep the airplane grounded.
After officers arrived from Burlington, a drug dog from Wilson County was summoned. When walking around the plane the dog indicated it smelled drugs.
A warrant signed by District Judge Dan Creitz permitted a search, which uncovered the marijuana.
The pilot, Kenneth Weaver, 58, Denver, was arrested.
Murphy said Weaver had taken a commercial flight to California to pick up the plane he was flying, which had stopped in Carson City, Nev., before arriving in Allen County. He is in Allen County Jail today, awaiting charges.
Arrangements are being made to seize the jet, which has estimated value of $750,000. Its ownership is still being determined.
Murphy said when the plane’s seizure and eventual sale occurs, agencies involved would receive a portion of the proceeds, including Allen and Wilson counties.
