According to several media reports, on September 29, current and former Boeing workers by the dozens were led in handcuffs from the aircraft manufacturer's Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, plant -- known for its production of military helicopters -- in an early morning bust conducted by FBI and DEA agents clad in bulletproof vests.
The federal agents were enforcing charges of the employees' illegally dealing in painkillers and anti-anxiety drugs within the plant. Boeing employs more than 6,000 workers at the Ridley Park facility, where the V-22 Osprey vertical take-off aircraft and H-47 Chinook helicopters are produced; both are standard-use U.S. military aircraft in ongoing Iraq and Afghanistan operations.
Concurrent to an investigation reportedly begun four years ago at the plant, 23 people were charged in the sting with selling the prescription painkiller Oxycontin and other drugs; another 14 were charged with attempted possession of various drugs and/or trying to buy them. All but one of those charged is a current or former Boeing employee, said authorities.
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U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger said at a news conference in Philadelphia that there was no evidence that the integrity of the work on any aircraft had been compromised. "This investigation and prosecution focused not only on the sellers, but also on the users because of the critical role that these employees play in manufacturing military aircraft," Memeger added.
A spokesman for Boeing stated that the manufacturer cooperated with the investigation, taking steps to make sure the employees under suspicion were in no position to compromise the safety or quality of the aircraft.
Source Links:
Boeing workers busted in drug sweep at plant (reuters.com)
36 nabbed in drug raid at Boeing plant (philly.com)
More than 2-dozen Boeing employees arrested in drug sting (westmorelandtimes.com)
