Convicted Drug Runner Will Forfeit Small Plane Seized In Montco Raid
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- A Montgomery County judge has ordered a convicted drug dealer to forfeit the small plane he used to fly drugs into Wings Field, in Blue Bell, last year.
The Montgomery County DA's Office is now the proud owner of a powder blue 1959 Piper Comanche that was seized last April when detectives arrested James Handzus during a sting operation.
Prosecutors say the 52-year-old Colorado resident flew to Las Vegas, then to the Philadelphia area, carrying narcotics.
Montgomery County prosecutor James Staerk successfully argued for the forfeiture of the plane.
"It's important because it tells drug dealers that we do not want them importing their criminal activity into Montgomery County, particularly with drugs as insidious as crystal meth," he said today.
The DA's office plans to auction or sell the plane, which has a lien against it. Any profits would be plowed back into the war on drugs in the county.
The plane is named "My Lady," and Staerk says it's time for Handzus to kiss his lady goodbye.
Handzus will be sentenced on the drug charges next week.
