COLOMBIAN FLIGHT ATTENDANT CHARGED WITH IMPORTING HEROIN

Marcos Daniel Jiménez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; and Jesus Torres, Special Agent in Charge, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, announced today that Carlos Andres Mendez-Burgos, a flight attendant with Colombian airline Avianca, was arrested in connection with a four-count indictment charging the flight attendant with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin, conspiracy to import heroin into the United States and importing heroin into the United States. If convicted of the conspiracy charges, Mr. Mendez-Burgos faces up to a life term of imprisonment, and a $4,000,000 fine.

Mr. Mendez-Burgos was arrested Saturday at Miami International Airport as he entered the United States in connection with his duties as a flight attendant. Mendez-Burgos had his initial appearance on the charges this afternoon at the federal courthouse in Miami.

Mr. Jiménez commended the investigative efforts of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn M. Kirkpatrick.