Three former Delta Air Lines workers were sentenced to federal prison Wednesday for conspiring to possess and distribute methamphetamine and heroin from Mexico.
Luis Marroquin, 36, of Atlanta was sentenced to nearly 16 years; Carlos R. Springer, 42, of Hampton was sentenced to 11 years; and Kelvin Rondon, 28, of Miami was sentenced to five years.
Investigators traced an unclaimed piece of luggage containing multiple packages of suspected illegal drugs to the three men after it arrived Jan. 13, 2012 at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport from Mexico City.
Springer had off-loaded the baggage from Flight 364, according to federal prosecutors. A review of Springer’s cellphone by federal agents uncovered coded, incriminating text messages between Springer and Marroquin around the time of the flight’s arrival.
Agents said Marroquin recruited Rondon, who was paid $500 to make sure the bag was on the flight before its arrival in Atlanta.
Marroquin, Springer and Rondon pleaded guilty last year to being involved in the scheme.
