Feds: Accused drug smugglers’ destinations included Phoenix
Jul 15, 2015, 1:42 PM | Updated: 1:43 pm
PHOENIX — Dozens of people face charges related to smuggling drugs on flights from Dallas to cities all across the country, including Phoenix.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Dallas said Wednesday the 46 people were charged with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamines, conspiracy and money laundering.
Some of the drugs were sent to Arizona, the Dallas Morning News reported.
Undercover agents gave some suspects packages, saying they contained drugs. Those packages were taken on American Airlines flights for payments of up to $9,000, according to an indictment unsealed Wednesday.
The indictment also said Moniteveti “Vince” Katoa, 51, “told an undercover officer he has several ways to transport illegal drugs, that he had been flying several times to observe how TSA conducted security checks in various cities…”
Prosecutors said the drugs were also flown to Las Vegas; Newark, New Jersey; Chicago; Wichita, Kansas; and San Francisco.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
