2 suspected of smuggling drugs using ultralight aircrafts arrested

By Brady McCombs Arizona Daily Star Arizona Daily Star
December 17, 2010 4:35 pm

Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested two U.S. citizens from Southern Arizona for their suspected involvement in a marijuana smuggling operation that used ultralight aircrafts.

Jon Youngs, 40, a foreman at a ranch in Hereford, and Marta Williamson, 52, of Tucson, were indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, according to a press release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The investigation into their operation began on Feb. 6 after Border Patrol agents arrested two people and seized about 200 pounds of marijuana that had been brought into the country via ultralight. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents took custody of the suspects and opened an investigation.

They identified Youngs and Williamson as coordinators of the smuggling operation, which moved marijuana from Sierra Vista to Tucson, the release says.

Federal officials say ultralight drug smuggling has increased in recent years. There were 193 suspected ultralight incursions and 135 confirmed incursions along the U.S.-Mexico border from Oct. 1 to April 15 of fiscal 2010, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operation Center in Riverside, Calif. Most have occurred in Arizona and California.

The small, single-seat aircraft are appealing to smugglers because they can take off and land almost anywhere, are relatively quiet and are difficult for law enforcement to spot.

Smugglers usually carry 200 pounds to nearly 400 pounds of marijuana in the ultralights, even though the aircraft aren't designed to carry any cargo.

Contact reporter Brady McCombs at 573-4213 or bmccombs@azstarnet.com.

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