Military Mail Theft
SAN FRANCISCO Thirteen cargo handlers at San Francisco International Airport have been charged with stealing computers, cameras and other goods being sent to U-S troops in Japan. The 13 defendants, employees of cargo staffing company Aeroground, were arrested Thursday and Friday and appeared in federal court on charges of stealing and conspiring to steal U-S. mail. The stolen goods have been valued at 200-thousand dollars.
According to the complaint, more than 570 pieces of mail that arrived in Okinawa, Japan, since November 2003 were missing some of their contents.
The complaint states that workers were seen concealing merchandise under their clothing and taking it to their vehicles. Many of the stolen items were then sold.
If convicted, the cargo handlers could face up to five years in prison and 250-thousand dollars in fines.
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