Authorities found a “significant quantity” of cocaine on board a plane that made an unauthorized landing Wednesday at Gordon K. Bush Ohio University Airport in Albany.
Here are 5 things we know about the mysterious landing:
1. Unscheduled: At about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security notified the Ohio University Police Department and the Athens County Sheriff's Office that an international aircraft was landing at the university's airport without authorization.
2. Occupants detained: Both departments responded and two occupants of the twin-engine, Canadian-based plane were detained. The pilot said he was traveling through U.S. airspace when he was forced to land due to mechanical issues. Customs and Border Protection requested the occupants of the plane be detained due to the fact that the airport is not a port of entry, according to statement issued by Lt. Tim Ryan of the Ohio University Police Department.
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3: Drugs suspected: Agents from Customs and Border Protection had joined the investigation by 4:30 p.m. along with Homeland Security and investigators "located a significant quantity of suspected cocaine concealed in the aircraft," according to a second OU police statement.
4: Plane in Bahamas: Canadian civil aircraft records show a Sylvain Desjardins owns a Piper Navajo with a corresponding tail number. Flight records show the Lachute, Quebec-based plane recently flew from Canada to the Bahamas and then to other Caribbean islands.
5: Two in custody: The two suspects were taken into custody by Homeland Security and transported to Columbus along with the alleged contraband. The investigation is now being handled by Homeland Security.
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