Drug-distribution Conspiracy at DFW Airport

Drug-distribution Conspiracy at DFW Airport

A 46-person drug-distributing, money-laundering ring that recently got busted at Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW) International Airport was unsealed this morning, “inviting” 17 of the 46 people to make appearances in the downtown Dallas courtroom. Most of the group of 17 is charged with at least one count of money laundering or conspiracy to commit money laundering, and/or drug charges.

With security being so tight at airports, just how did this happen? The following group of four explains:

  • Funaki “Noc” Falahola, 33 years old;
  • Moniteveti “Vince” Katoa, 51 years old;
  • Molitoni “Tony” Katoa, 33 years old; and
  • Janelle Isaacs, 40 years old.

All of the above mentioned “Fantastic Four” admitted to either working at DFW Airport or knowing someone who could bypass security to make cocaine deliveries from the airport to various locations throughout the United States. The indictment also accuses them of acting as “lookouts” to bypass airport security measures.

This is how the story went down.

Falahola told an undercover FBI agent that he and Katoa, his cousin, could help transport cocaine from DFW to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami. Katoa was an airport worker who, after completing the security check, would fly the drugs on his person to their final destination.

Falahola informed the undercover agent that his cousin and other family members (Janelle Isaacs, Katoa’s wife) could help while Katoa explained that he has several ways to transport illegal drugs, going into details about how he had flown several times to observe how TSA conducted security checks in various cities. Katoa even admitted that he had been waiting for the opportunity to transport drugs on American Airlines.

Falahola and Katoa struck a deal with the undercover officer and agreed to transport four kilos of cocaine to Las Vegas for $9,000. Undercover officers gave Falahola a backpack with four kilos of some type of substance resembling cocaine in which he and Katoa delivered to another undercover officer in Las Vegas.

Each drug trafficking conspiracy charges has a maximum sentence of life in prison and millions of dollars in fines. Money-laundering charges have a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

Image: CaseyMartin / Shutterstock.com

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • AI to Help Resolve Non-Emergency Calls Across Utah and Decrease 911 Caller Wait Times

    The Utah Communications Authority (UCA), which oversees the state’s next generation 911 technology services, recently announced that public safety answering points (PSAPs) throughout the state plan to implement Motorola Solutions’ Virtual Response technology to automate the receipt and resolution of 10-digit non-emergency line calls in Utah with the help of AI. Read Now

  • Report Reveals Local Governments Face Surge in Ransomware Attacks with Minimal Resources

    KnowBe4, the cybersecurity platform that comprehensively addresses human risk management, recently released new research highlighting the critical cybersecurity challenges facing state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments. The report details how government organizations have become prime targets for cybercriminals while simultaneously facing severe resource constraints. Read Now

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

New Products

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.