PENELAS VOWS TIGHTER AIRPORT SECURITY

Facing the latest in a long series of smuggling scandals at Miami
International Airport, Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas said Thursday the
county will tighten security to prevent the type of criminal activity
that led to dozens of arrests this week.

Penelas said a two-year investigation into drug smuggling by airport
employees had revealed a serious breakdown in security. That breakdown
came despite recent reforms, the mayor said.

"Let there be no doubt, Penelas told reporters. "There was a
collective internal security breach at this airport that allowed that
to happen and we are taking that very, very seriously.

In the wake of this scandal, the county may tighten access to
sensitive areas, restrict the bags workers can carry through
checkpoints and search those bags.

The arrests represent only the most recent evidence of lax MIA
security. County officials have been embarrassed at least five times
since 1986 by airport smuggling.

Videotaped breaches

This time, authorities say they have videotapes showing uniformed
airport employees passing unchecked through security points with
backpacks filled with cocaine.

Employees also smuggled three grenades and a handgun onto an airplane.
The weapons were planted by federal authorities.

Dozens of employees from American Airlines, the airport's largest
carrier, and Sky Chef catering were arrested early Wednesday on
smuggling charges.

Law enforcement sources said three of those indicted were arrested
Thursday. They expected another arrest later in the day. All are
American Airlines ramp workers.

Jose Toledo of Miami had contacted authorities and said he would turn
himself in. Toledo, 24, is the son of Puerto Rico's highest ranking
police official. His brother, authorities said, is an agent for the
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

A total of 58 people have been indicted in the case.

County participation

Penelas emphasized that the county was aware of the criminal activity
before this week's arrests and participated in the investigation,
which began in April 1997.

Penelas said the county has taken significant steps since 1997 to
tighten security, but he acknowledged more needs to be done:

Access to restricted areas. Penelas said employees can reach secure
areas of MIA through eight checkpoints, down from 37 two years ago. At
night, access is limited to two checkpoints.

Security guards. Miami-Dade Aviation Director Gary Dellapa said the
county has posted guards at those checkpoints, but they are not
required to search the bags of airport workers.

The county is reconsidering that policy, despite previous opposition
by union leaders, he said. Dellapa also said the county may limit the
type and size of bags that employees may carry.

Zone control. Dellapa said employees from one airline have access to
secure areas used by other airlines. That may change.

Dellapa also said the county may install more locks and security
devices at MIA to further control access to sensitive areas, and
expand the airport's security staff.

Penelas said the county had been contemplating those and other steps
before the investigation was announced this week.

"It is obviously time to finalize some of these recommendations, he
said. "I would like to see these implemented as soon as possible.