Prosecutors said a North Texas man who helped smuggle what he thought was cocaine onto flights from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport must serve nearly 16 years in prison.
Moniteveti "Vince" Katoa was sentenced Thursday in Dallas. Katoa in January pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine.
Three of Katoa's associates also pleaded guilty in the 2015 sting. One received 7½ years in prison. The other two await sentencing.
Officials said none of the individuals worked for DF/W Airport. Some were employed by companies operating at the airport.
Undercover agents provided packages, purportedly with drugs, for transport on commercial flights in exchange for payments. The packages were flown to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Chicago and San Francisco, New Jersey and Kansas.
