Four flight attendants were apprehended after an extensive investigation uncovered a sophisticated operation smuggling $8 million in drug money from New York City to the Dominican Republic.
The suspects, who were employed by various airlines operating from John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) in Queens, had been under investigation for years. They took advantage of their status as flight attendants to bypass security measures, utilizing special security lanes at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York, the flight attendants were allegedly involved in organizing and operating drug money laundering and narcotic sales. A witness, cooperating with authorities, revealed that the flight attendants were part of a broader network engaged in criminal activities.
The Sting Operations For Tracing Drug Money
To catch the flight attendants in the act, authorities conducted numerous sting operations. The witness would give the suspects a portion of the drug money in New York, and they would then transport it to the Dominican Republic. During these operations, money would be handed off to another cooperating witness, aiding law enforcement in gathering evidence against the suspects.
The cooperating witness had previously operated a significant drug money laundering organization and was arrested in 2021. This witness played a crucial role in exposing the flight attendants’ illegal activities.
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Law Enforcement Response
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge, Ivan Arvelo, stated, “As alleged, the defendants knowingly smuggled large amounts of illicit money linked to the sale of narcotics, to include fentanyl, and took advantage of airport security checkpoints by using their trusted positions as flight attendants.”
Critical Vulnerabilities Exposed
Arvelo highlighted the vulnerabilities in the airline security industry brought to light by the investigation, stating, “This investigation has exposed critical vulnerabilities in the airline security industry and has illuminated methods that narcotics traffickers are utilizing.”
Legal Consequences
Following the arrests, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, emphasized that smuggling millions of dollars from the United States to another country would not go unpunished. He stated these charges should serve as a reminder to those who break the law by helping drug traffickers move their money that crime doesn’t pay.”
Investigation Details
The investigation into an international drug money laundering organization allegedly trafficking fentanyl into the United States began in December 2018. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the New York Police Department (NYPD) collaborated on the investigation.
Charges Faced by Flight Attendants
The flight attendants facing charges if drug money laundering are 42-year-old Charlie Hernandez of New Jersey, 42-year-old Sarah Valerio Pujols of New York, 34-year-old Emmanuel Torres of New York, and 35-year-old Jarol Fabio of New York.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, all suspects will be charged with:
– One count of operation of an unlicensed money transmission business, carrying a penalty of five years in prison.
– One count of entering an airport or aircraft area in violation of security requirements, with a penalty of 10 years in prison.
In addition, two of the flight attendants will face these charges:
– One count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmission business, with a penalty of five years in prison.
Another suspect in the group is charged with:
– One count of bulk cash smuggling, which carries a penalty of five years in prison.
All four flight attendants were scheduled to appear in court this week.
