Over 26lbs of Cocaine found on Aircraft

[Hope777]

http://news.yahoo.com/more-26-pounds-cocaine-found-american-airlines-plane-184447261.html

 

[FWAAA]

Gotta think there are some pissed-off TWU members in MIA or DFW right now, as 26 pounds of their coke was discovered by their colleagues in Tulsa and turned over to the cops.

 

[IORFA]

Most likely MIA.

 

[Roadking5560]

Gotta think there are some pissed-off TWU members in MIA or DFW right now, as 26 pounds of their coke was discovered by their colleagues in Tulsa and turned over to the cops.

You may or may not know that now we have a vendor in MIA called Euleen doing our "security checks" on the planes, Swissport doing the refueling on the aircraft and Sky Chefs doing the catering.  Most of  these people are hired at a very minimal salary with few if any benefits.
We shouldn't just assume this is a case of AA employee smuggling. 

 

[jimntx]

Thanks for pointing that out Roadking.  As the old saying goes...You get what you pay for.  It may very well end up being an AA employee, but the fact that he/she got away with it (at least the getting the coke onboard part) could also be attributed to lax outside, underpaid security.

 

[bob@las-AA]

Thanks for pointing that out Roadking.  As the old saying goes...You get what you pay for.  It may very well end up being an AA employee, but the fact that he/she got away with it (at least the getting the coke onboard part) could also be attributed to lax outside, underpaid security.

This was a operation that may have a link to what happened just this past summer.
 
http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/crime/2015/07/15/dfw-airport-employees-arrested-in-massive-drug-sting/30188115/
 
I have no doubt that AA employees were involved.

 

[bob@las-AA]

The DEA and assorted agencies will do a thorough investigation and before long it will be revealed that FSC and AMT had a willing hand in this. The temptation of the "Big Money" from drugs trumps the "Big Money" in your check. I hope the find them, and again will enjoy reading new about our so called "Union Brothers and Sisters".

 

[MetalMover]

The DEA and assorted agencies will do a thorough investigation and before long it will be revealed that FSC and AMT had a willing hand in this. The temptation of the "Big Money" from drugs trumps the "Big Money" in your check. I hope the find them, and again will enjoy reading new about our so called "Union Brothers and Sisters".

Sad but true....
Employees involved in drug smuggling go back to Eastern Airlines in MIA in the 80's, let alone American in the 90's and 00's.....

 

[MetalMover]

Thanks for pointing that out Roadking.  As the old saying goes...You get what you pay for.  It may very well end up being an AA employee, but the fact that he/she got away with it (at least the getting the coke onboard part) could also be attributed to lax outside, underpaid security.

American has had more than its share with respect to employees smuggling drugs, especially in MIA.

 

[Jester]

Thanks for pointing that out Roadking.  As the old saying goes...You get what you pay for.  It may very well end up being an AA employee, but the fact that he/she got away with it (at least the getting the coke onboard part) could also be attributed to lax outside, underpaid security.

 
I recall last year some of the former LAS guys were talking about an US ramp agent who was busted moving cocaine by use of his airport access, and he wasn't underpaid, but the "big money" temptation can be too strong for some...
 
"One of the men, an airport baggage handler for 17 years, was released from federal custody Wednesday, while another remains held in Las Vegas."
http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/3-arrested-drug-smuggling-case-mccarran
 
"SEP 05 (SEATTLE) – A grand jury indictment was unsealed on August 27, 2014, charging three men with conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine between Las Vegas and Alaska.  The indictment charges three men: Daren D. Cole, 47, Dewane E. Blue, 37, and Bryan M. Bledsoe, 36.
 
The indictment alleges that since 2012, Blue would obtain cocaine for distribution in Alaska and other states, and then give the cocaine to Bledsoe, an airport employee, who would bring the drugs into McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, without passing through security. Inside the terminal, Bledsoe would then meet with Blue or others after they had gone through airport security screening, and provide them with the drugs. The drugs would be placed in the traveler’s carry-on baggage for distribution to Alaska and other states. Drug proceeds would be shipped back to Blue and other conspirators using the mail or parcel services. The indictment details 12 parcels containing drug proceeds that were sent from Anchorage to Las Vegas. Four of the parcels were seized by law enforcement, containing a total of $414,230 in cash.  The indictment seeks forfeiture of this money, along with several vehicles."
 
http://www.dea.gov/divisions/sea/2014/sea090514.shtml

 

[DallasConehead]

This was a operation that may have a link to what happened just this past summer.
 
http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/crime/2015/07/15/dfw-airport-employees-arrested-in-massive-drug-sting/30188115/
 
I have no doubt that AA employees were involved.

Im not so sure, these were cases where employees were acting as mules to get drugs past security, then pass them on to a passenger for movement. In the case of the drugs found, most likely the drugs were hidden somewhere on the airplane. As mentioned before any number of personnel have access to do this, could be a completely different smuggling operation.

 

[Buck]

How could a mechanic be involved when they already have big money in their pocket......

 

[Roadking5560]

Good one Buck.

 

[swamt]

Not sure if it has been revealed yet, but, where were the drugs hidden at?  This could be a clue to the direction of who might be involved.  I hate reading where some are already accusing certain groups or employees. Why not wait until it comes out IF it comes out...

 

[2ndGENAMT]

Heard it was found in the Fwd E&E of a 757.