Federal authorities found nearly 300 bricks of cocaine last week after a U.S. Virgin Island charter flight landed at a South Florida airport.
Last Tuesday (January 12), officials were doing a routine X-ray baggage inspection at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport at night. Agents discovered 328 kilograms of cocaine in 294 plastic-wrapped bricks.
“The bricks were inside several duffle bags and suitcases belonging to the only passengers on the private plane,” according to a criminal complaint filed by Homeland Security Investigations.
Six people were arrested afterwards, including two officers with the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department -- Shakim Mike and Teshawn Adams. The other four defendants are Maleek Leanard, Roystin David, Trevon Adams and Anthon Berkeley.
Officials said Teshawn Adams told Customs officers he arranged with Mike to smuggle the drugs on the private charger flight from St. Thomas. "He told agents that Mike paid half of the charter fees — $11,000 — up front, and then gave money orders to Teshawn Adams to pay another $11,000," reporters said.
According to investigators, Berkeley was supposed to get paid $18,000 for picking up a kilogram of cocaine and delivering it to a buyer in Orlando. They added that Trevor Adams was supposed to get paid between $9,000 and $10,000 for transporting the passengers and their cocaine on the flight.
David admitted to officials to helping load the bags on the plane, but claims he didn't , according to reporters. A criminal complaint revealed text messages between him and Teshawn Adams, reading “moving product,” “recruiting flight attendants,” “invest all the money from our bricks,” “meeting the big dogs in Santo Domingo,” and “living off the airport trips."
Leanard's attorney said he looks forward to defending his client. Berkeley's attorney declined to comment. An attorney wasn't listed for Teshawn Adams on online records. Attorneys en didn't immediately respond to messages from journalists.
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