In brief: $1 million in meth found; pilot flees
Authorities seized at least $1 million worth of meth after a small airplane made an emergency landing in a field near Conconully, Wash.
A 72-pound bag of meth was hidden in a bush near the Cessna 172, but officials in Okanogan County did not find the pilot, who authorities believe ran away, Sheriff Frank Rogers said.
The plane is registered in Canada and appeared to have run low on fuel while flying into the United States, Rogers said. Officials seized the Cessna, and because of apparent international drug smuggling, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is handling the investigation.
The U.S. Border Patrol, the North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force and the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office also responded Friday when the property owner reported the downed plane and that somebody was in the field, Rogers said.
Although the meth seizure was Friday, Rogers did not publicize it until Tuesday because his department was tied down with the Omak Stampede, he said.
– Nick Eaton
Stevens County
B.C. wildfire crosses into U.S.
A wildfire in British Columbia jumped the border and burned in thick timber in Stevens County.
As of Tuesday evening, the fire had burned an estimated 100 acres in the upper reaches of Jubalee Creek and on the ridgeline above Russian Creek, said Debbie Wilkins, with Colville National Forest. No structures were threatened, but Crawford State Park is nearby.
An agreement between the federal governments of Canada and the U.S. has Canada handling the firefighting effort for the blaze, even though it’s now burning south of the border, Wilkins said.
The cause of the fire is not known.
Firefighting officials are anxious about the fire, given the forecast for continued hot, dry weather, Wilkins said.
The fire is also burning in steep, densely treed terrain, which makes access difficult. A bulldozer was working Tuesday night to reopen several old logging roads in the area to make access easier from the ground.
– James Hagengruber
Spokane
Reward offered in hunt for suspect
Secret Witness is offering a reward for information that leads to the arrest of a man accused of hitting a 38-year-old Spokane apartment manager in the head with a hammer.
Police said Brian Lee Benefiel, 25, was being evicted from an apartment building when he attacked the manager Thursday. Benefiel is wanted on a charge of first-degree assault.
The victim remains hospitalized and is listed in stable condition, said Spokane County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan.
Benefiel is a confirmed gang member who goes by the street name “Smurf.” He is described as white, 6 feet 2 inches tall and 170 pounds with brown hair and eyes, Reagan said.
Anyone with information regarding Benefiel’s whereabouts is asked to call (509) 327-5111. Tipsters do not have to give their name to collect the reward but should leave a code name or number.
– Jody Lawrence-Turner