PHOENIX — A Mexican man who was captured after flying an ultralight aircraft laden with bundles of marijuana into the U.S. has been sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Phoenix said the small plane 25-year-old Jesus Isaias Iriarte of Nogales was flying last Oct. 8 was spotted just north of the border. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter followed the craft to a field near Marana just north of Tucson.
After Iriarte landed in the field he ran away but was captured. Agents found about 210 pounds of marijuana strapped onto the craft.
Iriarte pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana in December.
U.S. District Judge Marvin E. Aspen sentenced him to 33 months in prison on Tuesday.