"15 years in Orlando airport weapons plot"

Saturday, October 20, 2007

15 years in Fla. airport weapons plot
The Associated Press


ORLANDO, Fla. - The leader of a drug-and-gun smuggling ring was sentenced to
15 years in prison after pleading guilty to sneaking contraband aboard
commercial flights out of a Florida airport where he worked. 

Zabdiel Santiago-Balaguer, 23, a former customs agent for Delta's subsidiary
Comair at Orlando International Airport, was sentenced Thursday.

Authorities said he used his airport-issued identification card to access
restricted areas and evade security checkpoints.

Another suspect, Jose Pena Maldonado, was arrested Tuesday in Puerto Rico.
Authorities think he wired money to Santiago-Balaguer.

A third man, Joel Eliut Matos Cruz, was convicted on allegations he agreed
to sell 2.2 pounds of cocaine, some heroin and a handgun with a silencer to
an undercover agent. He was sentenced Monday to 10 years.

Authorities said more arrests are possible.

When the case became public in March, it drew national attention and
prompted Congress to call for the screening of all U.S. airport employees.

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