A former American Airlines mechanic, Paul Belloisi, from New York, has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for trafficking cocaine by hiding it under a passenger plane’s cockpit.
Authorities caught Belloisi red-handed with more than 25 pounds of cocaine. They replaced the drugs with a fake package that glows under black light. Belloisi, who had financial difficulties, abused his position to carry out the smuggling operation.
Homeland Security Investigations called Belloisi a “corrupt inside man” and warned others against similar actions. American Airlines, not implicated in the case, did not comment immediately. Belloisi’s downfall serves as a cautionary tale about exploiting positions for personal gain.
The sentence issued by Judge Dora Irizarry highlighted the severity of Belloisi’s crimes, emphasizing the commitment to safety within the aviation industry.
