06/23/09

SEATTLE (AP) _ A Canadian helicopter pilot busted as he landed
in northern Idaho with 150 pounds of marijuana has pleaded guilty.

Jeremy Snow entered the guilty plea Tuesday in federal court in
Seattle to a charge of possession with intent to distribute. His
lawyer, Richard Troberman, says he and the government agreed to
recommend a sentence of just under four years.

Snow was arrested March 5 as part of ``Operation Blade Runner,''
a joint U.S.-Canadian takedown of a drug-smuggling ring that had
been operating for more than a year. A helicopter pilot arrested
the previous week committed suicide in the Spokane County Jail
after being caught trying to land in northeastern Washington's
Colville National Forest with 426 pounds of marijuana.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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