The Okanagan Sunday, November 21, 2004
http://www.pentictonherald.ca/archive-k/20...date=2004/11/21
Man claims ownership of helicopter on reserve
By LAURENA WENINGER The Okanagan Sunday
PENTICTON -- A man who claims to be the owner of one of two helicopters found on the Penticton Indian reserve earlier this month wants his aircraft back
Hal John Levine of Surrey contacted the band via fax from an Abbotsford lawyer named G. Jack Harris
"The helicopter in question is the smaller, Bell 47J2, which Mr. Levine is convinced was not involved in any criminal wrongdoing," reads the letter dated Nov. 19. "I wish to have this point made perfectly clear, that Mr. Levine has nothing to do with the larger helicopter which press reports indicate was involved in some type of illegal activity, most likely the international transport of drugs. I understand, again only from the press clippings, that the larger helicopter was refitted to provide smuggling capabilities." The two helicopters were found Nov. 11 within 400 metres of each other on band land. The pilot of one approached two native men cutting wood before running away
The RCMP's Integrated Border Enforcement Team is investigating, but Penticton Indian band Chief Stewart Phillip has already suggested drug smuggling is behind the incident
Harris's letter says Levine bought his helicopter in September and had no alterations or modifications made to it to permit smuggling. Levine bought it from Gerald Kearney, at Coastland Helicopters in Richmond, who delivered it to the Vernon airport some time ago. Levine claims he was misled by people who told him they had the band's permission to have the helicopter parked on the reserve for a lesser fee than the $450 per month charged by the Vernon airport
The letter goes on to say: "Mr. Levine wishes to assure you that to his knowledge, his helicopter CFAFK was not involved in any criminal activity and regrets the embarrassment that its placement on your property has caused through the media."
Continued on page A4
Anyone have access to the rest of the story??? (Penticton Herald)