MELBOURNE, Fla. — A plane-crash survivor was arrested Friday in a federal cocaine-smuggling case after a May 12 rescue off Florida’s coast.
According to NBC News, Jonathan Gardiner, one of 11 Bahamian adults rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Air Force, faces charges tied to an alleged operation dating to 2023.
According to a federal complaint cited by NBC News, Gardiner possessed a brown paper bag with $30,000 in Bahamian currency and three mobile phones.
Officials said the aircraft crashed at 12:05 p.m. May 12 about 50 miles east of Vero Beach Regional Airport after departing Marsh Harbour en route to Grand Bahama International Airport.
CBS News reported the pilot declared an emergency before contact was lost with air traffic control.
The U.S. Coast Guard said crews located the aircraft off Fort Pierce and rescued 11 adults. Bahamas officials said three people were seriously injured.
USCG later identified the plane as a Beechcraft BE30. The FAA is investigating.