NEW ORLEANS: Federal investigators have uncovered what they say is a massive marijuana drug smuggling ring using airline baggage handlers at airports across the country.
Federal and local law enforcement records show the investigation stretches all the away to the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport where at least two alleged smugglers were caught red-handed.
The feds are calling it “a criminal conspiracy,” a multi-state drug smuggling ring based out of the San Francisco Bay area that made its way more than 1,000 miles to Louisiana.
Federal investigators say Southwest baggage handlers are responsible for smuggling hundreds of pounds of marijuana past security and onto planes.
The case is unsettling for passengers like Marshall Bates, who was catching a flight home to Chicago out of New Orleans on Wednesday night.
“Not safe. If I’m traveling with my daughter and she’s 12, I’d rather go through the long wait of searching my bags,” said Bates.
A total of 14 people in three states are being charged by federal investigators. Two of those men were arrested here at home. Court documents show the alleged drug operations at Armstrong airport date back to October 2013 through June 2014.
Airline records detail how seven packages were shipped to the airport through Southwest Airline cargo by Keith Mayfield of Oakland, Ca. In other cases, investigators say drug traffickers personally carried narcotics in passenger luggage.
Court documents say in one exchange, detectives saw Ronnell Molton of Oakland, Ca. walk into an airport men’s bathroom in New Orleans and trade bags with Mayfield, a Southwest baggage handler. Investigators say both men had cleared security.
Minutes later, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office records show a deputy and drug sniffing dog uncovered 10 pounds of marijuana on Molton along with two cell phones containing text messages and pictures of the alleged drug deal. Federal court records also show Molton made a similar exchange in New Orleans four months earlier.
He’s not the only one facing federal charges. Brandon Davillier is accused of picking up a 37-pound box at Armstrong Airport from Southwest cargo. A K-9 unit uncovered 11.3 kilograms of marijuana that led to the Slidell man’s arrest.
For one father flying home with his daughter out of New Orleans, the federal case against these alleged drug smugglers makes him think it’s time to change airport security protocol for everyone’s safety.
“I think they should be checked just as much as other passengers,” said Bates.
Eyewitness News reached out to Armstrong airport for a comment on this case, but a spokesperson said officials had no direct knowledge of the investigation and therefore felt it inappropriate to comment.
Southwest Airlines did issue a written statement, saying:
“Southwest airlines does not tolerate any behavior or activity that could jeopardize the safety and security of our operation. We are fully cooperating with authorities and will continue to work with law enforcement, airport authorities, and our security partners to perform due diligence in upholding high security standards. The safety of our employees and customers is a top priority every day.”