By Scott Harvey
Caddo Mills – A single-engine plane transporting more than a half million dollars worth of drugs landed near Caddo Mills Monday morning.
According to Hunt County Undersheriff Joe Knight, authorities were put on standby early that morning for a low flying plane involved in an earlier "incident with a federal agency."
A couple hours later, a silver, single-engine plane was spotted in a field near the Caddo Mills airport.
A resident near Neylandville would later call authorities to inform them they had found a black nylon duffle bag on their roof, while another Hunt County resident spotted a bag in their yard.
Both bags were full of what is believed to be hydroponic marijuana, and a search of the plane would find additional bags of drugs, all totaling about $640,000 in street value.
The manager of a local convenience store reported that there were two subjects at his store when he opened at 6 a.m. seeking information on the location of the nearest bus station. After determining the bus schedule, investigators set up undercover surveillance and shortly thereafter a person matching the description of one of the suspects was taken into custody for questioning.
It was later discovered that he was in violation of his parole from California. His name has not been released pending arraignment. It is unclear if he is involved in this incident.
Authorities are also searching for 44-year-old Darin Fayne, a white male with brown hair, blue eyes and 5'11'' tall. According to Knight, neither is related to Hunt County.
It is believed the plane ran out of fuel, forcing the landing near Caddo Mills.
"This was a combination of some very good police work and good luck," says Knight.
An investigation is continuing from the Hunt County Sheriff's office, Greenville Police, The Department of Public Safety, Texas Ranger and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.