Man Found Guilty In Sikorsky Airport Marijuana Smuggling Case

STRATFORD, CT — A Milford man was convicted of being part of a large-scale marijuana trafficking conspiracy that involved flying drugs in a single-engine aircraft to Sikorsky Airport in Stratford.

The Federal Aviation Administration began investigating a Piper single-engine aircraft owned by Donald Burns of Milford. It made regular flights between Stratford and northern California via the southwest United States, according to the U.S. Attorney District of Connecticut.

In 2017 Burns flew the aircraft from California to Texas and then to a few other states before returning to Stratford. Law enforcement was waiting and executed a search of the plane. The search turned up about 400 pounds of marijuana and Burns was arrested. Further investigation revealed that the marijuana was meant for Robert Capelli, 33, of Milford and others to distribute in Connecticut, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Investigators concluded that Capelli and others earned millions of dollars by smuggling nearly two tons of marijuana from California to Connecticut. More than $6 million was laundered to buy the marijuana and for related expenses, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Capelli was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of conspiracy to to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. The jury found him not guilty on money laundering charges.

He faces at least five years in prison and up to 80 years when sentenced. He has forfeited around $900,000 to date with more forfeiture proceedings pending.

Burns and two others pleaded guilty to charges. The aircraft, a Toyota Camry, a 2009 Jaguar XF and $8,000 in jewelry was seized from arrestees.