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Venezuela: 144 people detained for baggage theft at Simon Bolivar International Airport

A total of 144 people have been detained so far this year by the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) for their alleged involvement in baggage theft and other offenses, including trafficking of narcotics, at the Simon Bolivar International Airport of Maiquetia, north-central Vargas state. The information was published in a press release by airport authorities.  More information available at this link - http://bit.ly/1GCJ2z5 and here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3060417/Drugs-busts-criminal-gangs-42-workers-arrested-stealing-luggage-just-four-months-Venezuela-s-airport-criminal-world.html Source:  El Univeral and Daily Mail

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Russia: Moscow Times reports Russian Baggage Handlers Detained for Stealing $3 Million.

Three former baggage handlers at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport have been arrested on suspicion of stealing $3.3 million in cash from a flight from Novosibirsk, the Interior Minstry said Friday. After conducting an investigation at Novosibirsk's Tolmachevo airport, police determined that the packages had left Siberia properly sealed, the Interior Ministry said in an online statement. The only place the theft could have occurred was therefore upon arrival at Domodedovo.  More information available here: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/arts_n_ideas/news/article/russian-airport-employees-detained-for-replacing-3-million-cash-with-rubbish/519698.html Source:  Moscow Times.

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USA: Homeland Security reports 16,281 complaints in 2014 lead to 112 criminal convictions, including theft and narcotics.

US Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General reports 16,281 complaints of wrongdoing in 2014 lead to 524 investigations and 112 criminal convictions, including offences of theft and narcotics.  One example: a Transportation Security Administration supervisor in the US Virgin Islands who was actively assisting a drug smuggling organization to bypass security at an airport was sentenced to 87 months imprisonment and 24 months of supervised release. News article here: http://bit.ly/1CWT8Dd - Inspector General's full report here:  www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/TM/2015/OIGtm_JR_041515.pdf Source: HS Today

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Canada: Transport Canada's audit detects problems with security clearances at airports, putting the public "at risk"

An internal audit by Transport Canada into air cargo and airports has detected problems with security clearances at Canadian airports.  While no specific consequences were mentioned in the audit, experts note that the problems clearly put the public "at risk".  The issues are prevalent throughout both public and private aviation sectors, where the government is responsible for making sure, for example, the people handling baggage on the tarmac, with access to flight ramps or the passenger security checks are properly...

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USA, Atlanta: FBI concludes massive drug investigation involving Customs and Police Officer corruption at Atlanta Airport.

Federal authorities have concluded an extensive public corruption and drug trafficking investigation that spanned over five years and the convictions of a Customs and Border Protection Officer from Atlanta's airport, a DeKalb County Police Officer, and more than 10 drug traffickers who were responsible for the distribution of approximately 1 million pills of 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) and benzylpiperazine (BZP), a drug similar to ecstasy - one of the largest domestic seizures in US history.  Specifically, Customs and Border Protection Officer Devon...

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USA, Miami: CNN reports hidden cameras reveal airport workers stealing from luggage.

A CNN exclusive report shows that airport workers have been captured on camera at Miami International Airport stealing from passenger luggage.  The Miami Dade Police Department set up hidden cameras as part of an investigation into growing theft within the back end areas of the airport.  Police sources confirm the problem is not just limited to Miami, but exists across the USA.  John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York topped the list of airports with the most claims of...

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UK: 100 police in massive drug raids, senior BA employee detained over 200kg Heathrow cocaine plot.

Police have detained and questioned a senior British Airways employee over an alleged plot to smuggle 13 million GBP of cocaine into London's Heathrow Airport.  Over 100 police and customs agents were involved in raids connected to the arrest and plot last night.  British Airways co-operated with police to disrupt the plot, which supposedly involved the attempted import of over 200 kilos of cocaine into the United Kingdom.  The arrested employee had high level access to secure areas of the...

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France / Dominican Republic: Passenger baggage switched for case with 21kg of cocaine

French customs found 21 kilos of cocaine in the luggage of a passenger arriving in Nice, France from the Dominican Republic.  The passenger involved appeared confused and could not explain the presence of the drugs in his luggage.  Further investigations revealed that a third party had fraudulently tagged a suitcase that resembled the passenger's luggage and loaded it onto the flight.  For more information, follow this link:http://www.eturbonews.com/57275/21-kilos-cocaine-found-tourists-suitcase-nice-airport

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Australia, Sydney: Operation Heritage leads to conviction of 3 customs agents for drug importation and corruption offences.

The Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity reports that anti-corruption Operation 'Heritage' led to the conviction of 3 customs officials for drug importation, bribery and abuse of public office offences in June 2014.  In addition to the prosecution of these individuals, numerous other public officials were subject to other charges (and internal disciplinary measures).  Details concerning further officials has been withheld due to legal processes (appeals, etc).  The full investigation report has been withheld until all legal proceedings are finalised. ...

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