NEW YORK: This Beech King Air E90 (N48W) was seized by U.S. Customs and Border Control on September 6 after the agency discovered that all seven passengers aboard the aircraft were in the country illegally.
Agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized a Beechcraft King Air E90 on September 6 at McAllen Miller International Airport in Texas. Customs alleges that the twin turboprop was in the process of smuggling seven illegal aliens into the U.S. when it was confiscated.
The discovery that all seven passengers on the airplane were in the U.S. illegally was made during an immigration inspection of the aircraft moments before it was to depart. The pilot, a U.S. citizen, was released pending further investigation.
The aircraft, N48W, is registered to Platina Investment in Oklahoma City, according to FAA records. AIN was unable to contact the company.
