Passenger in Highway 76 Emergency Plane Landing Facing Drug Charges

SAN DIEGO -Troy Othneil Smith, a passenger aboard a small aircraft that made an emergency landing on Highway 76 in Oceanside last month, appeared in federal court today to face drug charges stemming from the incident.

According to a complaint, after the plane landed safely, Smith attempted to hide a package of cocaine from Oceanside police officers who responded to the emergency landing that occurred at about 1:39 a.m. on September 26, 2024.

According to the complaint, Smith was under investigation by the DEA and the U.S. Postal Service prior to the emergency landing. In that ongoing probe, Smith is suspected of shipping narcotics from Oceanside, California, across the United States through the United States Postal Service.

Flight records indicate the private plane departed from a San Diego airport at approximately 10:49 a.m. on September 25, 2024, and landed at about 6:48 p.m. that evening in Mesa, Arizona. At approximately 11:08 p.m. on September 25, 2024, the airplane departed Mesa, Arizona and headed westward toward California. At approximately 1:28 a.m., the airplane flew past Carlsbad over the Pacific Ocean, and made a U-turn heading back toward Oceanside. At approximately 1:39 a.m., the airplane made an emergency landing on Highway 76.

Based upon information gathered during the investigation, law enforcement learned that the pilot and passenger, later identified as Smith, began experiencing mechanical issues with the airplane during the flight as it arrived in San Diego County airspace. The pilot and passenger were planning an ocean landing because the airplane seemed to shut-off and was malfunctioning. They were able to turn the airplane around over the ocean as the airplane and engine began working again. After a short time, the engine shut off a second time, which resulted in the pilot landing the plane on Highway 76.

The Oceanside Police Department immediately responded to the scene on Highway 76 and found the pilot and passenger near the airplane. The passenger identified himself to police officers as Smith. One of the officers on scene noticed Smith was wearing a backpack and was pacing near the plane. After ordering Smith to stop going back to the airplane, the officer turned his attention away from Smith. When he heard the unzipping of a backpack, the officer immediately turned his attention back toward Smith, who was near the guardrail on the highway. The officer observed Smith reach into the backpack, take something out, and place it in the bushes. The officer ordered Smith to step away from the guardrail, while another officer went over to the guardrail and found a heat-sealed, air-tight package resting on the ground among the bushes. The contents of the package tested positive for cocaine. Smith was arrested.

Smith's preliminary hearing and arraignment are scheduled to take place on October 31, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.

DEFENDANT Case Number 24-MJ-03788

Troy Othneil Smith Age: 36 Oceanside, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute- Title 21, U.S.C., Section 841(a)(1)

Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $1 million fine

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Drug Enforcement Administration

United States Postal Inspectors

San Diego Field Division Narcotics Task Force Team 6

North County Narcotics task Force

Oceanside Police Department

*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.