Thread: O'hare worker charged in smuggling sting

O'Hare worker charged in smuggling sting
Agreed to help get $400,000 past security

February 15, 2007
BY FRANK MAIN Crime Reporter
Dressed in an Air France uniform and wearing a security badge, 67-year-old Riad Skaff could roam anywhere in O'Hare Airport's Terminal 5 without going through inspections.
Banking on his unfettered access, Skaff agreed to help someone he thought was a crook -- but who really was an undercover customs agent -- smuggle nearly $400,000 in cash and military equipment onto Paris-bound flights, authorities said Wednesday.

"It is dangerous," Skaff allegedly told the agent in a tape-recorded conversation. "If they catch me, they take me to jail."

Now he faces up to 75 years in prison if found guilty of federal smuggling charges leveled this week.

Skaff, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Lebanon who lives in Ravenswood, had worked as a ground-services coordinator for Sunline Services Inc., a subcontractor for Air France, since 1999.


Military equipment, too
In 2005, an informant agreed to help set up a sting against Skaff. Exactly why he was targeted was unclear. The informant introduced the undercover agent to Skaff at a Skokie restaurant. Skaff allegedly told the agent he could arrange to smuggle cash onto a plane for a $1,500 fee.
The undercover agent told Skaff he was taking the money to Lebanon to open a business. Skaff allegedly replied that millions of dollars passed through Paris to Lebanon daily.

Later, Skaff agreed to help the agent circumvent airport security to smuggle a cellular jammer, two pairs of night-vision goggles and one night-vision weapon sight, prosecutors said. The agent provided the equipment to be smuggled.

"Fortunately, in this instance, the devices never left the United States," said Elissa A. Brown, head of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Investigations in Chicago. "But in the wrong hands, components like these could be used to inflict harm upon America or its allies."

The smuggling sting at O'Hare was unusual because it involved military equipment, but police said they regularly arrest travelers for concealing guns in their luggage.

On Feb. 9, Scott Rucker, 36, of Bowling Green, Tenn., and Stacy Sabo, 39, of Mundelein, were caught with pistols in separate arrests.

Rucker, a traveling salesman, said he forgot he was carrying a loaded .380-caliber handgun that was discovered at a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint.

Sabo's handgun was found in her checked luggage, police said.

"It's a common occurrence," said Michael Patton, the Chicago Police commander at O'Hare.

Meanwhile, there is a growing black market for night-vision goggles and other military equipment, experts say. Last month, two Illinois National Guard soldiers were charged with selling stolen night-vision goggles, body armor and other supplies.

fmain@suntimes.com


http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/index.html

Post 9/11, I am always surprised to hear about airline scandals. When are we going to learn? Especially when illegals are hired...it just doesn't make sense. The last time I flew into RDU, I felt like I just entered the "It's a Small World" exhibit at Disney. I hope these people are getting checked out.

Originally Posted by Neese

Post 9/11, I am always surprised to hear about airline scandals. When are we going to learn? Especially when illegals are hired...it just doesn't make sense. The last time I flew into RDU, I felt like I just entered the "It's a Small World" exhibit at Disney. I hope these people are getting checked out.

Y'know, it seemed as though the number of Middle Eastern airline and security employees actually increased after 9/11. The British don't seem to be any smarter than we are because it seems as if almost all of the security and ticketing employees at Gatwick and Heathrow in London are Pakistani.

The guys probably haven't noticed this, but the girls probably have...middle eastern wear is apparently all the rage right now. They just had Fashion Week in New York and their models were wearing burquas!!!!

Originally Posted by Neese

The guys probably haven't noticed this, but the girls probably have...middle eastern wear is apparently all the rage right now. They just had Fashion Week in New York and their models were wearing burquas!!!!

Yeah, well... I've been to enough fashion shows to know that the goofy stuff that turns up on the runways infrquently makes it to the shopping mall in any meaningful way.

Originally Posted by CrocketsGhost

Originally Posted by Neese

The guys probably haven't noticed this, but the girls probably have...middle eastern wear is apparently all the rage right now. They just had Fashion Week in New York and their models were wearing burquas!!!!

Yeah, well... I've been to enough fashion shows to know that the goofy stuff that turns up on the runways infrquently makes it to the shopping mall in any meaningful way.

Doesn't matter to me if it makes it to the shopping mall or not, I think it is disrespectful to our country, and especially to those who lost loved ones to the terrorist. I am tired of the shock value, and the ignorance that goes along with it.

Nuns wear Burkas/Burquas?

Dixie

Originally Posted by Dixie

Nuns wear Burkas.

Dixie

Oh well, Catholics, Islamic terrorists... same difference.

Originally Posted by CrocketsGhost

Originally Posted by Dixie

Nuns wear Burkas.

Dixie

Oh well, Catholics, Islamic terrorists... same difference.

Okay...I know of at least one guy who gets the down escalator...