Plane loaded with drugs makes emergency landing on Southern California highway

Police arrested two people after a plane loaded with illegal drugs made an emergency landing on a Southern California highway early Thursday morning, authorities said.

According to the Oceanside Police Department, the emergency landing was reported at about 1:43 a.m. near Canyon Drive on Highway 76, which runs east-to-west through San Diego’s North County region.

No injuries were reported. The pilot told authorities that the aircraft’s engine was failing.

Officers searched the aircraft, a Piper PA-28, and found a “large quantity of narcotics,” at which point both occupants were arrested, police said.

Authorities did not disclose what type or types of drugs they recovered.

They said both suspects are Oceanside residents.

“The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified and is actively conducting an
investigation into the circumstances surrounding the emergency landing,” Oceanside Police said.

This is a developing story. Stay with KTLA 5 News for updates.

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