"FBI: 'Frequent Fliers' Strapped Millions of Dollars Worth of Drugs To Bodies"

Friday, May 18, 2007

FBI: 'Frequent Fliers' Strapped Drugs To Bodies
Ohio News Network


CLEVELAND -- FBI agents in Cleveland said they made several arrests and are
looking for two ringleaders following an investigation into an alleged crime
ring that agents call Operation Frequent Flier. 

The suspects are accused of transporting millions of dollars worth of
cocaine, PCP and marijuana by plane, mostly on Southwest Airlines. 

Federal agents are still looking for two of the accused ringleaders,
Arkeefee Sherrills and Richard White, both from California. 

But at least 15 other suspects, mostly from Cleveland, are under arrest and
are scheduled to appear in federal court on Friday. 

Police said the women and men strapped drugs to their bodies underneath
their clothing and made more than 500 trips to cities like Cleveland,
Chicago and St. Louis. 

The FBI said the group used frequent flier points and prepaid credit cards
to get on the flights and transport the drugs. 

Operation Frequent Flier has been going since last August, FBI agents said. 

Officials are trying to figure out how all the drugs made it past airport
security. 

Twelve of the 22 suspects charged are from Cleveland and one is from
Garfield Heights. They range in age from 18 to 47 years old.

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