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According to a recent report in the Air Force Times, a C-130 crew from the West Virginia Air National Guard flew half a ton of marijuana across state lines. But don’t get the wrong idea. Per an Ohio National Guard press release, the mission started when Maj. Mitchell Gargac of the Ohio National Guard Counterdrug Task Force got a call from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.
The BCI’s sister office in North Carolina had intercepted a shipment of 1,000 pounds of marijuana, originating in Texas and destined for Jackson County, Ohio.
Law enforcement officials hoped to complete the shipment in order to let sheriffs’ deputies posing as the original dealers ensnare the dealers on the receiving end.
But the only way to complete the shipment in time was by air.
Maj. Gargac contacted the National Guard Bureau's Joint Emergency Operations Center, which approved the mission.
A C-130 crew from the West Virginia Air Guard’s 130th Airlift Wing volunteered and flew first to Columbus, Ohio, to pick up the law enforcement officials who would complete the transfer. The aircraft flew from there to Greensboro, N.C., to pick up the drugs, which the North Carolina National Guard transported to the airfield and loaded onto the plane. Then the flight continued to Rickenbacker International Airport in Ohio, where the delivery was unloaded and the operational details were worked out.
The following day, Jackson County police officers made the delivery. They had backup from the Columbus Police Department South Central, BCI, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Customs.
The folks waiting for the shipment were Roger Baisden, 44, and Ronnie Baisden, 49, the target home's residents, as well as Mark Morelock, 51. All were arrested. Two other suspects, Leonel A. Pena, 35, and Armando Gonzalez, 47 were later arrested on suspicion of organizing the Texas end of the drug relay.
All suspects are awaiting trial on charges of conspiracy and aggravated drug trafficking. The operation ultimately netted an estimated $4.4 million in marijuana. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites        
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