Unauthorized plane lands in Athens, Ohio, suspected cocaine found

Photo provided by Ohio University.

Last March brought snow to Athens, Ohio, but yesterday a different type of white powder blew into the Ohio University airport.

JUST IN: Authorities seize large amount of drugs from plane that landed at OU airport. They suspect it’s cocaine – https://t.co/mr7oIoDeWy pic.twitter.com/BXKbvLR7l8

— WTTE FOX 28 (@fox28columbus) March 30, 2017

At around 2:30 p.m., the Department of Homeland Security notified Ohio University Police Department and the Athens County Sheriff’s Office of an unauthorized international aircraft landing at the University airport. According to an OUPD press release, the airport is not an international port of entry.

The pilot, who was detained upon landing along with another occupant, said that he had to land unexpectedly due to a mechanical issue. According to a second press release put out a few hours later, a joint investigation between local and federal authorities found a “significant quantity” of cocaine upon further inspection of the aircraft.

The plane’s occupants were sent to Columbus after being taken into custody by Homeland Security.