About 10 kilos of cocaine and two vehicles were seized during a major drug trafficking investigation in Muskingum County. Img 2287
San Diego, California – A student pilot whose secret drug trafficking operation was exposed after an emergency landing on a California highway has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, authorities announced Wednesday.
Troy Othneil Smith, 36, of Oceanside, was sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty to two counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. His arrest came after a dramatic incident on September 26, 2024, when a small aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing on State Route 76 around 1:39 a.m.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the plane departed Mesa, Arizona, at 11:08 p.m. on September 25 and was headed west. Flight data shows the aircraft flew past Carlsbad before making a U-turn over the Pacific Ocean, eventually landing on SR-76 in Oceanside. When first responders arrived, they encountered Smith and the pilot, identified as Gabriel Breit, near the disabled aircraft.
An Oceanside police officer noticed Smith wearing a backpack and pacing near the plane, raising suspicions. Authorities quickly transitioned from a rescue response to a criminal investigation. During the encounter, Smith attempted to hide a package of cocaine from officers, leading to his immediate detention.
Further investigation revealed that Smith was involved in broader drug trafficking activities. In addition to the cocaine found at the landing site, Smith admitted to previously mailing cocaine through the United States Postal Service in 2023. As part of his plea agreement, he also acknowledged participating in at least two other instances of cocaine distribution via mail.
“Aviation privileges come with immense responsibility,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “When those privileges are abused to facilitate drug trafficking, it undermines public safety and the trust placed in those who operate in our skies. We remain committed to working with our partners to detect, disrupt, and prosecute this kind of criminal activity wherever it occurs.”
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lyndzie M. Carter and Joseph Orabona prosecuted the case.
Smith’s unusual arrest has drawn attention due to the dramatic circumstances of the landing and the revelation that a student pilot was using aircraft and postal services to traffic illegal drugs. Prosecutors emphasized the risk to public safety and the misuse of aviation resources in the commission of criminal acts.
Smith will serve his 30-month sentence in federal prison and will be subject to additional conditions following his release.
