Four flight attendants found themselves in custody following an extensive investigation uncovering their involvement in a sophisticated operation to smuggle $8 million in drug money from New York to the Dominican Republic.
The flight attendants facing charges include Charlie Hernandez, Sarah Valerio Pujols, Emmanuel Torres, and Jarol Fabio, with allegations ranging from operating an unlicensed money transmission business to violating security requirements.
According to multiple news reports published on Thursday, May 9, 2024, the individuals, employed by various airlines operating out of John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) in Queens, allegedly leveraged their roles to bypass security measures and facilitate illicit transactions.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York, a witness revealed that these flight attendants participated in money laundering and narcotic sales over several years.
To execute their scheme, the flight attendants reportedly received a portion of the illicit funds in New York before departing for the Dominican Republic.
In a series of sting operations, the witness cooperated with authorities, observing the suspects transferring money to accomplices in the Dominican Republic.
The cooperating witness, previously involved in a significant money laundering organization, was instrumental in exposing the flight attendants’ illicit activities.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Ivan Arvelo emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, highlighting the exploitation of airport security checkpoints by trusted individuals.
“These charges should serve as a reminder to those who break the law by helping drug traffickers move their money that crime doesn’t pay,” stated Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
The investigation, initiated since December 2018, focused on an international drug trafficking and money laundering syndicate trafficking fentanyl into the United States.
