Thread: Customs inspectors charged in NY drug probe

May 29, 2008, 12:44AM
Customs inspectors charged in NY drug probe


By LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press Writer
© 2008 The Associated Press


NEW YORK — Two federal customs officers were arrested Wednesday, accused of taking bribes in exchange for letting large quantities of hashish and counterfeit watches and sunglasses into the country through Kennedy Airport.

The two U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers were among seven people charged as a result of a long investigation into corruption at the airport. Federal prosecutors said the probe had already resulted in the convictions of more than 20 people including distributors and overseas suppliers.

Walter Golembiowski, of Bethpage, N.Y., a supervisory Customs and Border Protection officer, and Officer John Ajello, of Hicksville, N.Y., were charged with bribery conspiracy and narcotics importation.

Prosecutors said Golembiowski, 65, regularly accepted and solicited bribes from 2004 to this year in exchange for permitting shipments of contraband to pass through Customs without inspection. Ajello, 51, also accepted bribes, in one instance asking for $80,000, a charging document said.

If convicted, Golembiowski could face up to 70 years in prison while Ajello could face up to five years in prison.

Others arrested Wednesday included two customs brokers, an operations manager of a cargo cooperative, and two importers of counterfeit goods and controlled substances, authorities said.

Messages left with defense lawyers in the case were not immediately returned.






http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/ ... 06998.html

WOW I SEE ON THE SIDE PANEL THAT THERE ARE MANY ARTICLES ABOUT DRUG BUSTS ALL OF THE SUDDEN. GOOD FOR THEM. KNOCK EM DOWN.