5 Charged With Cash Smuggling At Boston Airport

Five airline employees have been charged with using their security clearances to smuggle more $417,000 in cash past checkpoints at Logan International Airport.

Federal prosecutors allege the defendants used their clearances to sneak cash past Transportation Security Administration checkpoints from open areas of the airport, including public bathrooms near the baggage claim and passenger pick-up and drop-off areas.

The money is believed to be the proceeds of illegal drug sales.

Those arrested include four JetBlue Airways employees and one a Delta Air Lines customer service ramp agent. Each is charged with money laundering and conspiracy to defraud the United States.

The employees got cash payments from a cooperating witness involved in the undercover investigation in return for delivering the money to secure areas of the airport and aboard commercial flights.