'Suspicious Activity' In Illinois Led To East Coast Arrest

A pilot from Oregon has been arrested after allegedly flying an airplane carrying three duffel bags stuffed with marijuana from Santa Monica, CA to Fitchburg, MA. He is being held on $50,000 bond.

The pilot, identified as Hoang H. Nguyen, reportedly departed Santa Monica a week ago Monday, and stopped to rest at Morris County airport in Grundy, IL. While there, he reportedly paid cash for his fuel and slept in his airplane with the bags. That aroused the suspicion of the airport manager, who contacted Homeland Security, which dispatched an interdiction plane to follow Mr. Nguyen.

The North Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports that he eventually landed in Fitchburg, MA, where the CBP Citation landed behind him and blocked his way. On board the aircraft was the contraband, which carried an estimated bulk value of about $370,000, but could have brought $740,000 on the street.

Nguyen has no criminal record and had been employed as a pilot for Sky West Airlines for five years, as well as being a flight instructor. He is a native of Indonesia, but has U.S. citizenship. The case may be moved to federal court because the drugs were transported across state lines. The case has been continued until October 6th.

FMI: www.mass.gov/courts/courtsandjudges/courts/worcesterdistrictmain.html