Airport workers get prison for smuggling drugs

SAN DIEGO — Four baggage handlers who admitted helping smuggle drugs aboard commercial flights out of Lindbergh Field have been sentenced to prison.

The scheme took advantage of the handlers’ security badges and their ability to gain access to a secure area within San Diego International Airport without having to undergo security checks.

The handlers worked for Delta Global Services, which provides ground services for several airlines. They would bring loads of several kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine into the airport, then pass the drugs through bathroom stalls to couriers, according to the plea agreements. The couriers then flew to various U.S. cities — including New York, Honolulu, Philadelphia and Nashville — as ticketed passengers.

Investigators intercepted at least two drug loads after the couriers had landed in other airports. A total of 11 people total were indicted in the scheme.

On Friday in San Diego federal court, Paulo Mendez Perez of Imperial Beach was sentenced to seven years in prison. Other handlers were sentenced earlier. In July, Felix Samuel Garcia of Imperial Beach got the highest sentence, more than seven years, three months. Saul Bojorquez Aviles of Chula Vista, got five years in prison but appears to be withdrawing his guilty plea, arguing his lawyer wasn’t completely clear with him that he would lose his U.S. immigration status.

Brian Alberto Gonzalez of San Diego got a little over a year, not for being part of the overall scheme, but for helping smuggle a load of cocaine during an already-planned trip to New York. A fifth handler is expected to be sentenced next month.

According to sentencing documents, some of the handlers said their hours at their regular jobs had been cut at the time and the money they would earn from the smuggling opportunity was attractive.

Also Friday, the handlers’ drug supplier was sentenced. Sergio Mejia Gamboa of Fontana received 10 years in prison for his role as the middleman between the airport operation and a Mexican drug-trafficking organization.