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SALT LAKE CITY — Two Salt Lake International Airport workers are facing federal charges for allegedly sneaking illicit drugs past a security checkpoint and onto a flight to Atlanta.
Oswaldo Rosas carried 3 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in his backpack through a secure employee entrance and into the Delta Sky Lounge around 6:15 a.m. on June 10, according to complaint filed Friday in U.S. District Court.
Angel F. Segura later went into the lounge with a black duffel bag and then boarded a flight to Atlanta with the bag about 9:20 a.m. In Atlanta, he delivered the drugs to another person at a motel near the airport, according to court documents.
All was done while law enforcement officials were watching.
"What it does teach us is we need to continually be vigilant about what our procedures are and when needed, modify them to ensure we continually have the best security in place at these airports," said acting special agent Greg Bretzing.
Segura and another man, Jesus A. Aleman, were paid $4,500 to deliver the meth from Los Angeles to Atlanta, the complaint says. They drove to Salt Lake City and Segura called Rosas to ask if he "was willing to do what they talked about." They met the next morning at the airport's short-term parking lot where Segura gave Rosas a package which he placed in his grey and red backpack.
Segura and Rosas were contract employees at the airport, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
"It's important to recognize that it's part of the process to get drugs to the point of sale, and once to the point of sale, they end up in the hands of our citizens -- possibly the hands of our children," Bretzing said.
Federal prosecutors filed a 10-count indictment against the men alleging conspiracy and attempt to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute, violating airport security requirements and aiding and abetting.
Segura, who is being held in jail, is named in all 10 counts. Rosas, who faces five counts, and Aleman, charged in two counts, were booked into jail and released.
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Story written by Dennis Romboy with contributions from Sarah Dallof.
