'Critical' Issues In Airline Security 'Exposed' In New York State

Four New York workers were arrested by Homeland Security.

Four New York-based flight attendants are accused of smuggling millions of dollars in drug money through New York.

This week, officials unsealed two complaints charging four New York-based flight attendants.

New Yok-Based Flight Attendants Charged In Connection With Smuggling Drug Money

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Charlie Hernandez, 42, of West New York, Sarah Valerio Pujols, 42, of the Bronx, Emmanuel Torres, 34, of Brooklyn, and 35-year-old Jarol Fabio of New York City used their positions to sneak about $8 million past TSA at JFK International Airport on flights to the Dominican Republic, officials say.

The group allegedly "took advantage" of airport security checkpoints "by using their trusted positions as flight attendants."

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“As alleged, these flight attendants smuggled millions of dollars of drug money and law enforcement funds that they thought was drug money from the United States to the Dominican Republic over many years by abusing their privileges as airline employees," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said.

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Prosecutors say for "years" the group would use "known crewmember security lanes" to bypass TSA security checkpoints to smuggle narcotics trafficking profits from the United States to the Dominican Republic on commercial flights.

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"This investigation has exposed critical vulnerabilities in the airline security industry and has illuminated methods that narcotics traffickers are utilizing," Homeland Security Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo said.

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All four were charged with one count of operation of an unlicensed money transmission business and one count of entering an airport or aircraft area in violation of security requirements.

Pujols and Hernandez face additional charges.

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All four are facing multiple felonies and could each see up to a decade in prison if convicted.

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