Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
The flights were high and loaded with marijuana. Now a federal grand jury in New Haven has indicted Donald Burns, 59, of Milford, the pilot and two alleged distributors Robert Capelli, 31, and Scott Bodnar, 38, of Ansonia with trafficking at least 2,200 pounds of marijuana by airplane.
Shortly after Burns landed his Piper-single engine aircraft June 29 at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, law enforcement agents searched the plane and discovered a duffel bag containing 880 pounds of marijuana in vacuum sealed packages.
Authorities learned the marijuana was to be delivered to Capelli and Bodnar so they arranged for that to happen in Derby. The men were then arrested.
The Federal Aviation Administration began investigating Burns in 2016 after becoming aware that his plane was making frequent flights from Sikorsky to northern California with stops in Texas or Arkansas.
On June 28, 2017, they tracked a flight. The plane left northern California and stopped in Lubbock, Texas. The following day it flew from Lubbock to Arkansas and then West Virginia before landing at Sikorsky where it was searched and the marijuana found.
The three-count indictment alleges that from 2015 to June, 2017, the trio moved more than 2,200 pounds of marijuana from northern California to Connecticut.
The indictment charges the three with conspiring to possess and distribute 2,200 pounds of marijuana which carries a minimum 10-year prison term and a maximum of life upon conviction.
Additionally they are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 220 pounds of marijuana found aboard a U.S. registered aircraft and possession with the intent to distribute 220 pounds of marijuana. Both charges carry a mandatory five year prison term with a maximum of 40 years in prison.
Neither Tara Knight, who represents Bodnar or Audrey Felsen, Burns’ lawyer could be reached for comment Wednesday.
The aircraft is subject to government forfeiture.
The three have been released on bond. Bodnar’s bond was set at $250,000 and Burns’ at $300,000. No details were available for Capelli.
They are expected to plead not guilty to charges next week. Their case has been assigned to Senior U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton who sits at the federal courthouse in New Haven.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale is prosecuting the case which was investigated the Federal Aviation Administration’s Law Enforcement Assistance program as well as Bridgeport, Derby and Stratford police.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: High flying marijuana trio from Ansonia and Milford busted by feds - Connecticut Post
Author: Michael P. Mayko
Contact: Contact Us - Connecticut Post
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: CTPost: Southwest Connecticut Area News, Fairfield County News, Sports, Business, Entertainment, Real Estate, Classifieds - Connecticut Post
Shortly after Burns landed his Piper-single engine aircraft June 29 at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, law enforcement agents searched the plane and discovered a duffel bag containing 880 pounds of marijuana in vacuum sealed packages.
Authorities learned the marijuana was to be delivered to Capelli and Bodnar so they arranged for that to happen in Derby. The men were then arrested.
The Federal Aviation Administration began investigating Burns in 2016 after becoming aware that his plane was making frequent flights from Sikorsky to northern California with stops in Texas or Arkansas.
On June 28, 2017, they tracked a flight. The plane left northern California and stopped in Lubbock, Texas. The following day it flew from Lubbock to Arkansas and then West Virginia before landing at Sikorsky where it was searched and the marijuana found.
The three-count indictment alleges that from 2015 to June, 2017, the trio moved more than 2,200 pounds of marijuana from northern California to Connecticut.
The indictment charges the three with conspiring to possess and distribute 2,200 pounds of marijuana which carries a minimum 10-year prison term and a maximum of life upon conviction.
Additionally they are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 220 pounds of marijuana found aboard a U.S. registered aircraft and possession with the intent to distribute 220 pounds of marijuana. Both charges carry a mandatory five year prison term with a maximum of 40 years in prison.
Neither Tara Knight, who represents Bodnar or Audrey Felsen, Burns’ lawyer could be reached for comment Wednesday.
The aircraft is subject to government forfeiture.
The three have been released on bond. Bodnar’s bond was set at $250,000 and Burns’ at $300,000. No details were available for Capelli.
They are expected to plead not guilty to charges next week. Their case has been assigned to Senior U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton who sits at the federal courthouse in New Haven.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale is prosecuting the case which was investigated the Federal Aviation Administration’s Law Enforcement Assistance program as well as Bridgeport, Derby and Stratford police.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: High flying marijuana trio from Ansonia and Milford busted by feds - Connecticut Post
Author: Michael P. Mayko
Contact: Contact Us - Connecticut Post
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Website: CTPost: Southwest Connecticut Area News, Fairfield County News, Sports, Business, Entertainment, Real Estate, Classifieds - Connecticut Post