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Atchison Police Intercept Aerial Drug Deal

By David Meyer

04/04/2013

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Police seized 42 pounds of what they believe is high- grade marijuana.

The aircraft seized in the bust.

William Hiler was the pilot of the aircraft.

Lance Thompson was a passenger in the plane.

Daniel Brown was a passenger in the plane.

Michael Staab was in the 2008 SAAB.

Beth Branstetter was in the 2008 SAAB.

( KAIR )-Five people are in custody after police intercepted a drug deal at Atchison's Amelia Earhart Airport Wednesday evening.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson says police were tipped off about a shipment of drugs being flown in from Colorado to Kansas City. He said they were informed the exchange would take place at the Atchison airport and set up a surveillance.

Shortly after 6 o'clock Wednesday evening the plane arrived at the airport.

Wilson said someone on the plane handed off luggage to a car that arrived at the airport from Kansas City. That's when police arrested 59-year-old William Hiler, 30-year-old Daniel Brown, 28-year-old Michael Staab, and 38-year-old Lance Thompson, all from Colorado. 22-year-old Beth Branstetter of Kansas City, Missouri was also arrested.

All five suspects were booked into the Atchison County Jail on felony charges of possessing marijuana with intent to distribute among other drug charges. Bond for Hiler and Thompson, based off their prior record, was set at 250 thousand dollars. Bond for the other three was set at 100 thousand dollars.

Police seized the luggage, aircraft and the car. Upon opening the luggage, they discovered what they believe to be 42 pounds of high-grade marijuana.

Wilson says the incident remains under investigation.