OCEANSIDE, Calif. (CNS) - Two Oceanside residents were arrested Thursday on suspicion of illegal transportation of narcotics after their plane made an emergency landing on state Route 76 near Canyon Drive, the Oceanside Police Department said.
At about 1:43 a.m. Thursday, OPD officers responded to a call that a small plane experienced engine failure and had to make an emergency landing on SR-76, according to a police statement. The plane's two occupants were not injured.
During a 1 p.m. press conference, OPD identified Gabriel Breit, 21, and Troy Smith, 36, as the suspects. Police say Breit was the pilot, while Smith was the passenger. The assistant police chief said during the press conference that responding officers noticed Smith throw a backpack into some brush, and the majority of the drugs were found inside the bag.
The department said the suspects had rented the plane, and it flew into the area from Phoenix.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the circumstances of the emergency landing.
The FAA released the following statement Thursday morning:
"A single-engine Piper PA-28 landed on State Road 76 in Oceanside, California, around 1:45 a.m. local time on Thursday, Sept. 26, after the pilot reported engine issues. Two people were on board. The FAA will investigate."
By 8:30 a.m., first responders removed the plane from the road, allowing traffic to flow unimpeded.
No injuries were reported in this incident.
The North County Narcotics Task Force, which is comprised of local, federal and state agencies, has taken over this investigation.
Be advised, there is a small plane that landed on eastbound SR-76 at Canyon Drive, blocking the number 2 lane of traffic. Please proceed with caution. #TrafficAlert pic.twitter.com/9UKwOslHYO
— Oceanside Police (@OceansidePD) September 26, 2024
This is a developing story.
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