Smugglers

This is coolbert:

From the Chicago Tribune Metro section, yesterday:

“2-year term in O’Hare smuggling plot."

“Man took money to skirt security."

“A former worker at O’Hare International Airport who pocketed payoffs to help smuggle cash and military equipment out of the country was sentenced Wednesday to 2 years in Prison.”

“[Riad Skaff, 69] pleaded guilty last year to bypassing security at O’Hare on four occasions to help and undercover federal agent smuggle nearly $400,000 in cash, night-vision rifle scopes and goggles and a device that jams cell-phone calls.”

“Between 1999 and his arrest in early 2007, The LEBANON native worked as a ground services coordinator for an Air France contractor, giving him unlimited access to O’Hare’s international terminal.”

“Skaff had never before been accused of a crime and didn’t realize he was threatening U.S. interests.”

“This man had: ‘access even to jet ways and the tarmac, without being subject to inspection’”

Skaff was quite willing and able to accept from an undercover agent - - money - - in exchange to smuggle items - - that could potentially assist jihadis?!

IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS WAS AN UNDERCOVER OPERATION! SKAFF ILLEGALLY FORWARDED THE CONTRABAND, BUT IT NEVER DID GET TO THE JIHADI!

BUT HE HAD POTENTIALITY TO DO SO, AND WAS QUITE WILLING AND ABLE TO DO SO - - FOR A PRICE!!

Skaff is from Lebanon. Alarm bells going off here all over the place??!! A connection to Hezbollah could have been readily established? Potentiality for damage very profound in cases such as this. A Hezbollah trained “foot soldier”, THE BEST LIGHT INFANTRY IN THE WORLD, using Skaff and his position, would be able to gain access where none would be assumed to be possible!?

Hezbollah light infantry!! Able to perform well at a lot of non-military tasks, undercover, alone, without a lot of direction - - to accomplish the mission!! Trained, motivated, versatile, flexible, resourceful persons.

I am going overboard here? Skaff has never been alleged to have any link to Hezbollah!! But, his case is indicative of what could happen?! Even a mere baggage handler, shuffling duffle bags around, has a lot of opportunities to commit a lot of mayhem. Or support those that are going to commit a lot of mayhem. Take your pick!

I do know that in the aftermath of 9/11, the fine-tooth-comb of background checks was conducted with regard to airport facility employees. Looking for hidden criminal records, illegal aliens, stolen ID, etc. A number of illegal aliens, including the notorious Elvira Arellano, were caught and eventually deported. Contract workers working for out-sourced companies.

Sting operations of the sort directed at Skaff are now a common part of life for airport workers? MUST BE TOO!!?? All it takes to bring down a commercial airliner is ¼ pound of C4 explosive!! Can’t take chances here!!

coolbert.