Pot bust nabs pilot at Portales airport

PORTALES, N.M. (KRQE) - A tip from U.S. Border and Customs air interdiction agents led to a drug bust at the Portales Municipal airport Tuesday.

When the 2004 Lancair single-engine aircraft landed, the Roosevelt County Sheriff's Department was waiting with their narcotics-detection K-9.
 
The dog alerted deputies to drugs on the plane and prompted a search, according to deputies.

After executing a search warrant, deputies found a suitcase in the baggage area of the plane filled with approximately 15 pounds of what was described as high-grade hydroponic marijuana with an estimated street value of $90,000.  

The pilot, Paul Connors, 54, of Temecula, Calif., was the only person on board the plane.  

"His words to us was he was traveling back and forth for work to the Plainview, Texas, area and he just was going to make a little extra money while he was doing it," said Chief Deputy Sheriff Malin Parker.

Connors is charged with possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance. He's being held at the Roosevelt County Detention Center on a $50,000 cash-only bond.

When asked if Connors planned to distribute the marijuana in New Mexico, Parker said, "he didn't say, he invoked his rights." Parker did state Connors had been arrested before for similar charges in Texas.

Parker said efforts by the Sheriff's Department to seize the aircraft are underway. The aircraft has an estimated value of $400,000.