Eighteen defendants, including ten corrupt John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) employees, have been charged in an international drug smuggling and distribution scheme. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents intercepted more than 100 pounds of cocaine, 55 pounds of heroin and 6.6 pounds of ecstasy as part of the sting operation. From the DEA press release: 

"In order to smuggle the drugs into the country, [Ringleader Henry] POLANCO primarily relied on corrupt airline employees at JFK and abroad. In the Dominican Republic, the airport employees concealed narcotics in luggage on board international commercial flights destined for JFK. At JFK, corrupt airline employees supervised by [Delta Airline employee and drug importer] JORGE ESPINAL, including Delta Airline employee ERIK ERAZO, diverted the contraband to a “safe” area before the luggage could be inspected by law enforcement. Thereafter, ESPINAL and ERAZO delivered the drugs to other members of the organization for distribution. MIGDALIA SOSA, an employee of Aramark and ESPINAL’s girlfriend, served as a lookout, monitoring law enforcement activity at the airport arrival area and reporting back to ESPINAL." 

The sting operation has been two years in the making — its success owing to the use of court-authorized wire taps of the defendant's telephones.

I have written extensively about jihadists who work at airports and the serious threat they pose to national security. Corrupt airport workers are potentially an equal threat. 

 

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