Recent drug raids at Arizona airports reveal potential problems

MESA, Arizona. – Narcotics come through Arizona airports.

Two recent collisions occurred in the past two weeks, one at Phoenix Sky Harbor and another in California after the plane took off from Falcon Field in Mesa.

General aviation airports like Falcon Field in Mesa are not monitored by the Transportation Security Administration. Rather, it is up to the individual pilot to know what is moving in his aircraft.

“It's their personal plane, they know exactly what's on board,” said Jessica Alonzo, communications specialist at Falcon Field Airport. “And they have to do a pre-flight inspection. This is done on your own account, so to speak.”

The single-engine, four-seat aircraft, tail number N1711T, spent four hours at Falcon Field in Mesa on Wednesday, September 25, before taking off and flying back to Oceanside, California.

It had to make an emergency landing on a California highway before 2:00 a.m.

California law enforcement found two pounds of cocaine on the plane and 21-year-old Gabriel Breit and 36-year-old Troy Smith were arrested on suspicion of illegally transporting drugs.

It's still unclear what happened during the four hours the plane was in Arizona, but regional airports like Falcon Field are not responsible for the goods transported.

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“We only provide ground operations,” Alonzo said.

Falcon Field's runways are open 24 hours a day and access is monitored.

“Access to the airfield here would require a gate access pass,” Alonzo added.

This access is intended for employees, tenants renting flight space, and companies operating at Falcon Field.

“These pilots are private pilots. So you know exactly what you have on board. Just like your personal vehicle. It’s on your own account,” Alonzo said.

The plane's owner said he had been renting his plane through San Diego-based flying club Plus One Flyers since February.

The 35-year-old airman said he was shocked when he learned what happened.

“[In] There is no TSA in general aviation. “So everything would have to do with Homeland Security,” Alonzo said.

There are still many questions about where the cocaine came from and how it was loaded onto that plane that took off from Falcon Field.

We have contacted the Drug Enforcement Administration about their involvement in this investigation and are still waiting to hear back.

As far as we know, this was the second time drugs came through a Valley airport in September.

Earlier this week, 50,000 fentanyl pills were found vacuum sealed in the luggage of a woman traveling through Sky Harbor.