Baggage Handler Sentenced To Over 9 Years In Prison For Smuggling Methamphetamine Through Oakland Airport

OAKLAND – Siosiua Fihaki was sentenced to 112 months in prison today for his role in smuggling nine pounds of methamphetamine through a secured door at the Oakland International Airport announced Acting United States Attorney Brian Stretch and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge John J. Martin. 

Fihaki, 32, of Hayward, Calif., pleaded guilty on December 15, 2015, to one count of distributing methamphetamine.  In pleading guilty, Fihaki admitted that on May 29, 2014, he was working as a baggage handler at the Oakland International Airport for a flight bound for Honolulu.  Early that morning, Fihaki used his airport employee credentials to access a secure door at the airport while carrying a duffel bag full of methamphetamine.  Fihaki admitted that he put the duffel bag into the belly of the airplane with other checked luggage.  The duffel bag was seized by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents in Honolulu and the subsequent search revealed nine pounds of methamphetamine.

The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Jeffrey S. White, U.S. District Judge.  In handing down the sentence, Judge White noted that the case was particularly troubling given that the defendant, as a baggage handler, was entrusted with the safety of everyone who flies through the airport.  Judge White also stated that he was extremely concerned that in an era of enhanced security for airlines, Fihaki chose to abuse the trust of the flying public.  Judge White’s sentence also included a three-year period of supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Vanessa Vargas.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.  The investigation was conducted and funded by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a multi-agency task force that coordinates long-term narcotics trafficking investigations.