Pubdate: Tue, 26 Jan 1999
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 1999 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Website: http://www.uniontrib.com/
Forum: http://www.uniontrib.com/cgi-bin/WebX
Contact: DRUG-LADEN PLANE CAPTURED IN MEXICO

MEXICO CITY -- The Mexican army and police reported yesterday that their
joint airborne drug interception network captured a small plane carrying
half a ton  of cocaine, after the craft landed at a Caribbean coast
airstrip.

Authorities detected the unregistered flight Sunday, when it entered
Mexican airspace from South America.

Military and police aircraft tailed the six-seat Piper PA-23 from the time
it entered Mexican airspace until it landed at an isolated airstrip in the
jungle about 190 miles south of Cancun. Police arrested the Colombian pilot
and two Mexican suspects, and seized 1,016 pounds of cocaine.

- ---
MAP posted-by: Joel W. Johnson