SMUGGLING STING REVEALED BREACHES

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

Penelas said the crimes exposed after a two-year investigation revealed a
serious breakdown in security.

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

The county may further restrict access of airport employees to secure areas,
limit the type of bags that airport workers can carry, and search those bags
as they go through checkpoints.

This week's arrests represent only the most recent evidence of the porous
nature of MIA. County officials have been embarrassed at least five times
since 1986 by airport smuggling.

In the latest episode, federal 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 airplanes. The weapons were planted by federal authorities, who
later removed them.

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 more of those indicted were arrested
Thursday. And they expected to arrest another later in the day. All are
American Airlines ramp workers.

Jannette Colmenares of Miami Beach turned herself in to agents in Miami.
Pedro Diaz, also of Miami Beach, surrendered in Puerto Rico. Jose Rodriguez
was arrested at work in Miami. 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.

"This did not catch Miami-Dade Police by surprise. We were involved from the
very beginning, the mayor said.

U.S. Attorney Tom Scott said the sting operation revealed "dangerous and
intolerable" security breaches at MIA. Penelas says the county is reviewing
the recommendations of Scott and others.

The mayor said county officials have taken significant steps since 1997 to
tighten security at MIA. More steps are planned:

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

"That alone has been a major accomplishment since 1997, Penelas said.

The county is now studying further restrictions, including the possibility
of limiting the access of workers who are not on active duty. "Although it
could be a logistical issue, we are going to look at it, he said.

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

The county is now reconsidering that policy, he said.

Dellapa also said the county may limit the type and size of bags that
employees may carry. Requiring workers to carry transparent plastic bags is
one possibility, he said.

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

"We can limit the access of different airport people, Dellapa said.

Penelas and Dellapa 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 these 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.

Allaying concerns

The mayor also sought to allay public concerns about the current state of
security at MIA, saying the airport is in compliance with all rules and
requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration.

"Miami International Airport is a safe and secure airport, the mayor said.
"This airport meets or exceeds all federal requirements.

"We will not tolerate incompetence, corruption or any other sort of criminal
activity at any level of our government, Penelas added. "We are committed to
rooting out this sort of activity.

Herald staff writer David Kidwell contributed to this report.

e-mail: dfinefrock@herald.com