Pubdate: Tue, 01 Mar 2005
Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Copyright: 2005 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159
Author: Pedro Ruz Gutierrez, Sentinel Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?203 (Terrorism)

2 WILL GO TO PRISON IN AIRPORT DRUG CASE

A former Orlando International Airport baggage handler and a truck driver 
who bragged of extensive ties that allowed him to smuggle drugs past OIA 
security were sentenced in Orlando's federal court Monday.

Edwin Vega-Reyes, 32, of Orange County was sentenced to nearly four years 
in federal prison, while Jose Luis Ortiz, 37, will serve seven years and 
nine months in prison. The case against the two Kissimmee residents and 
four others arrested in a federal sting exposed serious security flaws and 
raised questions about employees' screening at OIA.

Last summer, a four-month investigation uncovered a ring of baggage 
handlers who for the right fee agreed to smuggle heroin, cocaine, marijuana 
and guns for undercover agents posing as couriers and dealers.

Vega-Reyes and Ortiz pleaded guilty last year to one count of conspiracy to 
distribute 2.2 pounds of heroin each after a sting operation by federal 
agents. According to court documents, a confidential informant in May 
approached Ortiz, who asked for $5,000 to deliver the heroin to a courier 
who would board a flight to Puerto Rico.

Subsequently, Ortiz -- who already has a federal marijuana-trafficking 
conviction in Texas -- agreed to smuggle 50 pounds of marijuana onto 
airplanes using the services of his stepson Luis Santana Torres and Jose 
Cantres, who worked at OIA as well.

The arrests led to an immediate shake-up of background screenings for all 
runway personnel at OIA. The case also caused federal judges to note how 
easy it was to buy off airport personnel.

"Anything could have been in those bags, and they did not know if they were 
dealing with terrorists," U.S. Magistrate James Glazebrook said at a bail 
hearing after the Aug. 21 arrests.

After his arrest, Ortiz cooperated with federal authorities who in turn 
asked U.S. District Judge Patricia Fawsett to sentence him below sentencing 
guidelines.

Cantres, 37, and Santana Torres each were sentenced to time served in 
January and given two years of supervised release.

Two other former OIA subcontracted employees -- Angel "Tito" Diaz, 26, and 
Luis Morales, 28 -- pleaded guilty Monday to entering a secure airport area 
with the intent to commit a felony.

According to their plea agreements, Diaz and Morales helped arrange the 
smuggling of 5 kilograms of cocaine and five guns for $4,000 in a separate 
undercover sting. Both await sentencing dates.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager