Four flight attendants were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly smuggling drug money from the United States to the Dominican Republic via commercial flights.
The suspects were identified as Charlie Hernández, Sarah Valerio Pujols, Enmanuel Torres and Jarol Fabio.
According to investigators from the Department of Homeland Security and the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of NY, all of the suspects worked as flight attendants on different international airlines that operated routes between New York and the Dominican Republic.
They explain that they had “Known Crew Member” status with the Transportation Security Administration, which allowed them to pass through a special security lane with less scrutiny at several airports.
The investigation has exposed critical vulnerabilities in the airline security industry and illuminated the methods drug traffickers are using, authorities said.
Those involved are accused of illegally transporting nearly eight million dollars in cash.
The suspects have an address in our city.
Each faces one count of operating a money transmission business without a license and one count of entering an airport in violation of security requirements, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
“Today’s announcement should serve as a warning to all airline personnel: HSI New York will not tolerate attempts by employees to abuse their power in order to transport illicit merchandise,” said one of the officials in charge of the investigation.
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