CO Employees smuggle heroin

[deltawatch]

Two Continental employees at EWR are accused of helping to smuggle heroin. Jose Moreno and Joseph Muniz are charged with conspiracy to distribute and to posses heroin. Each is held on $250,000 bail. Moreno worked as a ramp side employee and Muniz worked as a Continental mechanic. Federal prosecutors allege the men worked with others as part of an international narcotics trafficking ring with ties to El Salvador and Colombia. Prosecutors say the participants used Continental jetliners to import narcotics into the United States. The investigation is continuing.

 

[Harry Callahan]

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[PurduePete]

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http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008803250324

A Perth Amboy man is one of two charged in connection with an international heroin distribution ring operated through Newark Liberty International Airport, federal authorities announced Monday.

Joseph Muniz, 55, allegedly used his job as a Continental Airlines mechanic to help import narcotics on inbound international flights, according to U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie. His efforts were allegedly connected to a trafficking network with "illicit ties" to El Salvador and Colombia.

Authorities said that on at least one occasion 800 grams of heroin were hidden in lifejacket compartments on a plane coming from Cali, Colombia.

Although agents seized the packages in February, Muniz and Jose Moreno, a rampside employee, were heard and observed planning to enter the plane to retrieve the drugs, Christie said.

Authorities said they used confidential informants, electronic surveillance and a two-month court-authorized wiretap leading up to the arrests.

Muniz and Moreno, 43, of Kenilworth, are charged with conspiring to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin.

If convicted, they face up to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $2 million.

The two men appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patty Shwartz on Monday afternoon. Bail for each man was set at $250,000.