Two ramp agents from Delta Airlines, Leandro Alleyne and Fabian Innis, have been arrested for allegedly smuggling over $3 million worth of ketamine at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The two were taken into custody on September 19 after authorities observed them handling suspicious luggage from a flight arriving from Copenhagen, Denmark.

Upon arrest, Innis confessed to participating in the smuggling operation with Alleyne at least five to ten times in the past. He acknowledged awareness that the bags contained illegal substances, though he claimed he did not know they were carrying ketamine. Innis also revealed that he received payments ranging from $4,000 to $5,000 for each flight.

Both Alleyne and Innis entered not-guilty pleas regarding the charges of drug importation and smuggling, and each was released on $50,000 bail.

The case has garnered additional attention following the recent death of FRIENDS star Matthew Perry, who died from a fatal dose of ketamine in a bathtub on October 28, 2023.

Co
urt documents reveal that Alleyne and Innis were seen removing backpacks and suitcases from Flight 219 and loading them onto a baggage vehicle. They transported the luggage to a secluded area of the airport tarmac, raising red flags for authorities. Neither agent had the authorization to handle the luggage, and Alleyne was not assigned to operate the baggage vehicle at the time.

Homeland Security investigators, who were already monitoring the two men, moved in as they began to open the bags. Inside, agents discovered clear plastic bags containing a white crystallized substance that later tested positive for ketamine. In total, the agents were found with 134 pounds of the drug, valued at approximately $3 million on the street.

Further investigation revealed that four of the suitcases bore luggage tags with names of two different passengers from the flight, suggesting the possibility of a larger operation. A source informed The New York Post that the situation appears to be an inside job.

Delta Airlines has
confirmed that Alleyne and Innis had no legitimate reason to handle or remove the contents of any checked baggage, reiterating the company zero tolerance for unlawful conduct.

Source: Tourism Africa