Airport Employee Arrested With Cocaine at St. Thomas Airport

An airport employee was arrested at Cyril E. King Airport after authorities found more than 7 pounds of cocaine in his backpack, federal officials said.

The United States Attorney’s Office said Aslyn Thomas, 45, of St. Thomas, was arrested April 8 and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

According to court documents, Thomas arrived at the airport to report for work as a ramp agent when he was inspected as part of routine security procedures. Security personnel found three brick-like plastic bundles in his backpack and alerted law enforcement. Virgin Islands Port Authority officers responded and used a K-9 unit that alerted to the presence of narcotics. U.S. Customs and Border Protection was then called to the scene, and the bundles, weighing more than 7 pounds, tested positive for cocaine.