Cargo workers Used To Smuggle Cocaine, Heroin

Federal authorities say Miami International Airport was the hub of a cocaine and heroin trafficking ring that used cargo workers to smuggle the drugs. More than 500 pounds of cocaine and 81 pounds of heroin have been seized so far, following a March bust involving a Comair employee.

A federal indictment was handed down Thursday charging 29 people, 12 of whom are airport workers.

The workers were employees of several cargo airlines with international business operations. The smuggling operation reportedly began in 2002, and has raised questions about the apparent ease with which terrorists or other criminals could also operate at the airport, according to the Associated Press.

"You clearly had conspirators on the inside to help that take place," US Attorney R. Alexander Acosta said of the drug operation. "That raises alarms about what may or may not be smuggled through these channels."

Lauren Stover, MIA's security and communications chief, testify before Congress Thursday that past drug trafficking rings led to improved security at the airport.

18 of the 29 indicted are in custody in the United States and six in Colombia, Acosta said. Eleven remain at large.

FMI: www.miami-airport.com