Federal authorities say an LAX employee and a friend were arrested after allegedly trying to move 24 pounds of fentanyl through Los Angeles International Airport, with investigators claiming the handoff unfolded inside a men’s restroom.
Miguel Angel Tuz-Noh, a 24-year-old airport worker, and Anthony Olvera, 23, both of Lennox in the South Bay, were taken into custody after authorities said they attempted to transport fentanyl intended for a flight bound for Minnesota.
“Both defendants were arrested on August 19 and made their initial appearances on August 21 in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. A federal magistrate judge ordered each of them released on $10,000 bond. Their arraignments are scheduled for September 17,” the Justice Department announced on Monday.
According to federal authorities, Tuz-Noh is believed to have connections to a drug trafficking organization. Investigators said they “observed Tuz-Noh and Olvera attempt to exchange narcotics in a men’s bathroom” inside an airport terminal.
After the arrests, police said they found a duffle bag containing 10 “brick-type” packages of fentanyl that authorities believe were headed to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Both men have been charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. If convicted, they could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum possible sentence of life.
The Los Angeles Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration are continuing to investigate the alleged trafficking scheme.
The case follows another recent drug-related prosecution involving LAX workers. In April, two contract employees were charged with intent to distribute methamphetamine after allegedly being caught smuggling drugs, and they also face a potential sentence ranging from a 10-year mandatory minimum to life in prison.
