Former American Airlines aircraft mechanic, Paul Belloisi, was sentenced to nine years in prison for attempting to smuggle cocaine on a flight from Jamaica to New York. In May 2023, Belloisi was convicted of conspiring to possess cocaine, conspiring to import cocaine, and importing cocaine. The case stemmed from a search of American flight 1349 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, where 25.6 pounds of cocaine were found hidden beneath the cockpit. Prosecutors stated that Belloisi attempted to retrieve the cocaine-filled bricks but was caught by law enforcement. The cocaine had a street value of over $250,000.
Despite his lawyer’s plans to appeal the conviction, Belloisi’s request for an acquittal was denied by US District Judge Dora Irizarry in Brooklyn. American Airlines was not implicated in any wrongdoing in this case. Belloisi’s lawyer argued that the sentence was excessive given his client’s personal history and overall statistics. However, the judge upheld the nine-year sentence. The sentencing marks the end of a lengthy legal process for Belloisi, who had been an American Airlines mechanic for more than two decades. The case serves as a reminder of the consequences of attempting to transport illegal substances across borders, and the diligence of authorities in enforcing these laws.
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