Tracking system nabbing drug dealers and law-abiding pilots

[unhappycamper]

http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-aircraft-searches-20140415,0,7828658.story



Ken Dobson, a retired police officer, sits in his single-engine Cessna at Bermuda Dunes Airport in California. He was detained and his plane searched by federal agents -- without legal justification -- after he landed at a small airport in Detroit. Instead of uncovering a drug cache, the officials found luggage, golf clubs and an empty Thermos.

Tracking system nabbing drug dealers and law-abiding pilots
By Dan Weikel
April 14, 2014, 7:07 p.m.

Ken Dobson, a retired police officer, said he received quite a welcome when he landed his single-engine Cessna in Detroit two days after leaving his home in Palm Desert.

Five sheriff's cars surrounded the plane and deputies got out with guns drawn. Then a helicopter arrived with four federal agents and a drug-sniffing dog.

They demanded to see Dobson's pilot's license, asked about the flight and mentioned that his long trip from Southern California was suspicious.

Fearing he would lose his flight credentials if he didn't cooperate, Dobson consented to a search of his plane. But instead of uncovering a trophy-shot cache of pot or cocaine, the officers found luggage, golf clubs and an empty Thermos.

[CFLDem]

1. Yikes