Fri, May 30, 2008
Also Accused Of Plotting To Smuggle Watches
The challenges of assuring a truly
safe border have been highlighted this week by the arrest of two
Customs and Border Protection officers from Long Island on charges
they were part of a bribery and drug ring at JFK International
Airport.
Newsday reports federal agents charged 65-year-old supervisory
officer Walter Golembiowski of Bethpage with bribery conspiracy and
narcotics importation conspiracy. 51-year-old inspector John Ajello
of Hicksville, was charged with bribery conspiracy. A third man,
46-year-old Victor Juzumas of Merrick, is described as a private
customs broker, and faces similar charges.
The multi-jurisdictional New York Organized Crime Drug
Enforcement Strike Force alleges that from 2004 to this year,
Golembiowski and others allowed counterfeit goods, hashish and
other drugs to be cleared through customs at JFK. Authorities say
they've arrested more than 20 people during a five-year
investigation, and seized more than 600 pounds of imported hashish
worth about a half-million dollars.
Officials says the defendants were also caught plotting to
smuggle in counterfeit Rolex, Cartier and Chanel watches, and
sunglasses. Golembiowski and Ajello are accused of pocketing "tens
of thousands of dollars" for their roles. Both men are said to be
20-year veterans of the Customs and Border Protection agency.
"Smuggling any kind of illegal commodity raises troubling issues
at a time of deep concern over national security," US Attorney
Michael J. Garcia said about the case. "The threat is heightened
when a government official accepts bribes to help smugglers breach
our borders."
If convicted, prison terms could range from up to five years,
for Ajello to up to 70 years for Golembiowski.
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