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A New York-based former American Airlines mechanic who was facing financial troubles before being convicted of conspiracy to traffic cocaine has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison in a plot where he hid bricks of the drug under a passenger plane cockpit, according to federal authorities.
Customs agents caught Paul Belloisi, a 56-year-old Smithtown resident, red-handed in 2020 after they discovered more than 25 pounds of the drug and swapped it out with a fake parcel covered in a substance that would later glow under black light, according to federal investigators. Court records show he had filed for bankruptcy three years earlier.
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Homeland Security Investigations said in a statement that federal agents later staked out the plane and watched Belloisi head into the compartment where the fake drugs were hidden with an empty tool bag and a jacket with cutouts large enough to conceal the bricks.
FLIGHT ATTENDANTS USE SECURITY PRIVILEGES TO SMUGGLE MILLIONS IN DRUG MONEY OUT OF US: FEDERAL PROSECUTORS
Former American Airlines mechanic Paul Belloisi received a nine-year sentence in federal prison for his role in trafficking cocaine into the United States at John F. Kennedy International Airport.(Justice Department)
They shined the black light on his gloves and saw the tell-tale glow.
Federal authorities dubbed him a “corrupt inside man” and said the sentence should serve as a warning to other workers who intend to abuse their positions.
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“Paul Belloisi put his personal gain before the safety of the aviation industry by abusing his position to participate in a scheme to import over 25 pounds of cocaine into the U.S., repeatedly storing smuggled narcotics within sensitive areas of passenger airplanes,” HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Darren McCormack said in a statement. “His demise should send a message to anyone attempting to exploit the aviation industry: HSI New York and our law enforcement partners are committed to maintain the safety of the U.S. domestic and international transportation infrastructure.”
POKER PLAYER ROBBED OF $250K IN GUNPOINT STICKUP OUTSIDE NYC AIRPORT HOTEL
Homeland Security Investigations says the holes in the lining of Belloisi’s jacket were made to help him hide cocaine.(Justice Department)
American Airlines, which has not been accused of wrongdoing in the smuggling case, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to the federal criminal complaint, a flight arrived at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport from Jamaica on Feb. 4, 2020.
A Boeing 777 of American Airlines arrives from Milan at JFK International Airport in New York on Feb. 7, 2024.(Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)
Two Customs and Border Protection agents inspected the plane and found 10 bricks of cocaine hidden in a blanket in a compartment under the cockpit.
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They swapped it out with fake bricks and a transponder that would alert them to movement in the compartment. HSI agents also assisted in visual surveillance from a distance.
WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN O’HARE AIRPORT BAGGAGE MACHINERY DIED OF SUICIDE: POLICE
Federal authorities said they found Belloisi with this empty tool bag after he entered a jet compartment where they recovered more than 25 pounds of cocaine.(Justice Department)
Hours went by with no movement, but about 20 minutes before the plane’s scheduled departure, Belloisi showed up and entered the compartment, according to the complaint. Five seconds later, he tripped the transponder.
Judge Dora Irizarry handed down three sentences of 108 months to run concurrently for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to import cocaine and importing cocaine.
WASHINGTON (WCAX) – Federal funding is on the way to help reimburse the state for repairs to flood-damaged roads in Vermont.
Vermont’s congressional delegation just announced $51 million from the Federal Highway Administration to reimburse the state for the cost of repairs caused by last year’s flooding.
Most of that will go toward damage from July 2023 but about $1 million will refund repairs caused by December’s flood.
BOSTON (WHDH) – Police officers are responding to a report of a person suffering severe burns in downtown Boston, according to the Boston Police Department.
Authorities responded to the corner of Columbus Avenue and Park Plaza in Boston shortly before 9 p.m.
A large police presence is on scene. Evidence markers were seen on the sidewalk.
No additional information was immediately available.
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — One person was killed in a two-vehicle crash in North Versailles on Wednesday.
The Allegheny County Police Department said first responders were called to the crash at Lincoln Highway and Isaac Street around 5:30 p.m. At the scene, officials found the driver of a sedan dead. His identity has not been released.
The driver of a box truck remained at the scene, authorities said. It was not immediately clear if they suffered any injuries.
County police said preliminary information shows the driver of the sedan was headed eastbound on Lincoln Highway when he crossed the center line and was hit by the driver of the box truck, which was headed westbound.
Police are investigating. Anyone with information can call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.
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Michael Guise
Michael Guise is a web producer for CBS Pittsburgh who has worked for KDKA-TV since 2019.