A Tempe man was recently arrested in Kansas and accused of landing a plane carrying more than 100 pounds of cocaine.
According to information received by KAKE, The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security were tipped off on Wednesday after learning that a suspicious plane was heading to the Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport.
The plane landed at 6 p.m. and Seward County Sheriff’s Office and KBI searched the aircraft and discovered 144 pounds onboard, a KBI spokesperson said. The drugs are estimated to have a street value of $2 million.
The pilot, 51-year-old Patrick Williams of Tempe, and a passenger, 26-year-old Ricardo Lope were arrested and have been charged with distribution of cocaine, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bond has been set for each suspect at $2 million.
According to online records, Williams is a flight instructor and owns his own company, Williams Aviation Arizona, in Tempe. According to his Facebook page, he is from Kansas City.
