A Delta Air Lines employee in Atlanta has been charged with several federal offences after being accused of helping to smuggle 18 firearms onto a flight to New York.
Delta baggage handler Eugene Harvey allegedly used his position to bypass airport security screening and gun-trafficking.
Court documents allege he passed the guns, seven of which were loaded, to another man, Mark Quentin Henry, who flew from Atlanta to New York on December 10 with the firearms in his carry-on bag.
It was reported Henry is a former employee who was fired in 2010.
He was arrested in New York after attempting to sell 129 handguns and two assault rifles to an undercover officer.
Another two unnamed men were arrested in New York in relation to the case.
Delta has suspended Harvey pending further investigations and issued a statement which read: "Delta is cooperating with authorities in this investigation. We take seriously any activity that fails to uphold our strict commitment to the safety and security of our customers and employees."
The FBI affidavit called it one of the biggest security breaches in recent years, according to a news report by WSB-TV Atlanta.
