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Albuquerque Police Dog Sniffs Out Planeload Of Pot

Albuquerque police say a pilot is facing felony charges after a drug-sniffing dog found a load of marijuana stashed on the man's single-engine plane.

Police and Homeland Security agents got a tip Monday that there was an incoming flight with drugs on board.

After the plane landed at Albuquerque's Double Eagle Airport, authorities say the pilot — identified as 54-year-old Stephen Acton — was found without a valid pilot's license. He also had an expired plane registration and a fraudulent flight plan.

Police say Acton was flying from California and stopped at the airport to refuel.

A search of the plane turned up 41 pounds of high-grade marijuana.

Acton is facing charges including distribution of a controlled substance. He's being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center. His plane was also seized.