A passenger on a small aircraft that made an emergency landing on Highway 76 in Oceanside last month is now facing drug-related charges, authorities said Oct. 8.
Troy Othneil Smith, 36, of Oceanside has been charged by federal prosecutors with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
Smith is accused of attempting to hide a package of cocaine from police officers following the emergency landing on Sept. 26.
Flight records show the plane left San Diego on the morning of Sept. 25, flying to Mesa, Arizona, the statement said. It left Mesa around 11 p.m. the same day, flying west. It flew past Carlsbad over the Pacific Ocean at 1:28 a.m. before turning back and making an emergency landing on the highway at approximately 1:39 a.m….