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OTTAWA -- Two Chicago-area men authorities say landed a plane with a half-ton of marijuana at an Ottawa air field face federal charges.
Ira Williams, 31, of Manteno and Gene Lisula, 31, of Orland Park are both accused of drug possession with intent to deliver.
They were awaiting extradition Tuesday to Texas.
Federal agents said they became suspicious when the rented plane took off from near the Mexican border.
It was tracked by radar and airplane surveillance until it came to Skydive Chicago airport, a popular parachute club in LaSalle County.
Authorities made the arrests at 3:30 a.m. Friday after they were flown in by helicopter.
The drugs were found in the plane, authorities said.
An attorney for Skydive Chicago said the owners knew nothing about the arrests and were angry the airport had been used.
The airport was closed for the night when the incident occurred.
Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Mary Lou Carerra said the men face federal charges in Brownsville, Texas. She did not believe a bond had been sent.
Pantagraph
By Greg Stanmar
gregstanmar@insightbb.com
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
© 2004, Pantagraph Publishing Co. All rights reserved.
https://www.pantagraph.com/stories/081804/new_20040818009.shtml
Ira Williams, 31, of Manteno and Gene Lisula, 31, of Orland Park are both accused of drug possession with intent to deliver.
They were awaiting extradition Tuesday to Texas.
Federal agents said they became suspicious when the rented plane took off from near the Mexican border.
It was tracked by radar and airplane surveillance until it came to Skydive Chicago airport, a popular parachute club in LaSalle County.
Authorities made the arrests at 3:30 a.m. Friday after they were flown in by helicopter.
The drugs were found in the plane, authorities said.
An attorney for Skydive Chicago said the owners knew nothing about the arrests and were angry the airport had been used.
The airport was closed for the night when the incident occurred.
Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Mary Lou Carerra said the men face federal charges in Brownsville, Texas. She did not believe a bond had been sent.
Pantagraph
By Greg Stanmar
gregstanmar@insightbb.com
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
© 2004, Pantagraph Publishing Co. All rights reserved.
https://www.pantagraph.com/stories/081804/new_20040818009.shtml
