18 Charged in JFK Airport Drug Smuggling Scheme
The scheme allegedly involved smuggling and distribution of heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy also known as MDMA. The scheme also involved bulk smuggling of United States Currency.
The Justice Department alleges that the ten employees participated in a drug smuggling and distribution organization headed by Henry Polanco. The organization conspired to smuggle drugs into the United States from Polanco's contacts in the Dominican Republic. These contacts supplied heroin, cocaine and ecstasy.
The scheme depended on airline employees from JFK airport, and from abroad that were willing to smuggle drugs into the United States. The employees allegedly smuggled the drugs aboard planes, and moved the drugs before customs officials could intercept them. The employees then gave the drugs to other members of the organization for distribution. The defendants are also accused of smuggling large amounts of United States currency to the Dominican Republic, presumably as payment for the drugs.
Members of the Drug Enforcement Agency worked alongside members of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE"), Customs and Border Protection, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The charges brought are the result of a two year long investigation.
The agencies used court-ordered wiretaps to monitor the suspects. A major break came in the case when authorities use of wiretaps alerted them to the imminent arrival of one of the organization's members at the airport. Authorities intercepted the suspect and apprehended him. The suspect was in possession of a suitcase containing 10 kilograms of cocaine and two kilograms of heroin.
Drug Enforcement Agency Officials reportedly seized over 46 kilograms of cocaine, 25 kilograms of heroin, and 3 kilograms of MDMA (ecstasy) over the course of the investigation.
The defendants face varying charges based on their alleged participation in either the drug importation ring,the drug distribution ring, or both drug rings. The defendants accused of involvement in the drug importation ring face a maximum of life imprisonment along with a $4 million fine. The individuals charged with involvement in the drug distribution ring face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
Two of the defendants are charged in connection with smuggling United States currency to the Dominican Republic. They each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine in relation to these crimes.
The Drug Enforcement Agency took care to point out the defendants are currently only alleged to have committed a crime and are innocent until proven guilty.
Published by A. Kairi
A. Kairi is a natural beauty care and crafting enthusiast that has operated a natural beauty care products business since 2004. She has held dozens of natural beauty care workshops in private venues and at M... View profile
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- defendants allegedly conspired to smuggle heroin, cocaine, and ecstacy into U.S.
- drugs allegedly smuggled into U.S. by corrupt JFK airport employees
- DEA officials seized over 40 kilograms of cocaine, 25 kilograms of heroin, and 3 kg of ecstacy
1 Comments
Post a CommentFor some reason, it strikes me as absurd to charge people with smuggling money and smuggling drugs when the money in question is payment for the drugs.