DRUG STING NETS AIRLINE WORKERS

Crime: Dozens Of American Employees Are Charged With Smuggling.

Miami - Dozens of American Airlines ramp workers and contract employees
were arrested and charged Wednesday in an alleged drug ring that
investigators said smuggled cocaine and marijuana into the United States in
food carts, garbage bags and carry-on luggage.

The bust is believed to represent the largest number of drug arrests
involving a U.S. airline. The arrests resulted from two sting operations,
one of which was prompted in part when a pilot complained last year that
his coffee tasted weak. Investigators found 15 pounds of heroin in coffee
packs aboard an American plane.

The drugs were put aboard American Airlines planes in Colombia and Central
America, flown to Miami, and then went on to Philadelphia, Washington,
Baltimore and Cleveland, investigators said. The defendants also allegedly
smuggled guns and explosives that undercover agents had given them.

At least 50 people were indicted on drug charges, including 30 American
baggage handlers and ground-crew workers at Miami International Airport,
where American is the largest carrier. It is also the biggest U.S. airline
serving Latin America.

Separately, eight people - including seven American employees - were
indicted in New York in a similar case.

Also, officials in Colombia identified American as the airline used by 10
Colombians charged over the weekend with smuggling more than a half-ton of
heroin to Miami.

American said it has cooperated with investigators and blamed the problem
on a "small group of employees."