Definitely, one of the most recent breaches in physical security, Eugene Harvey, a baggage handler that works for Delta Airline at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has been assisting a Gun Smuggling Ring to perform more than his job responsibilities call for in moving luggage, but also helping to move firearms for the ring from Atlanta to the JFK Airport in New York for further distribution and sale on the street market in Brooklyn. Harvey had violated security requirements and entered more secured areas of the airport to assist in the firearm trafficking activity.
The Affidavit states that his accomplice was able to board the Delta Airline flight with 18 guns and ammunition in an carry-on bag. According to Harvey’s arrest warrant affidavit, Harvey assisted in making the operation possible by using his security clearance to provide guns to a passenger named Mark Quentin Henry after Henry had successfully cleared security.
CNN also reported that Henry had allegedly brought the weapons in his carry-on luggage on at least five flights from the Atlanta Airport to New York’s JFK between May 1 and December 10, 2014, and a total of 129 handguns and two rifles have been transported during this time frame for further transfer to co-conspirators in New York.
This operation was discovered when one of the co-conspirator sold the weapon to an undercover New York police officer. Henry was subsequently arrested in New York on December 10 after landing at JFK airport with 18 handguns in his bag, seven of which were loaded, CNN reports. The question being asked now is “How could a man get away on a flight with over a dozen guns in his backpack?
Investigations are still ongoing and CNN reported that the airline is fully cooperating with authorities with the investigation.
Photo Credit: Carlos Osorio/AP
