PHILADELPHIA, PA — Federal authorities arrested a Philadelphia International Airport employee wanted in Montgomery County on felony drug charges and misdemeanor offenses involving minors after identifying him through an investigation involving his airport security credentials.
Wenceslao Boccelli Vargas, 30, of Philadelphia, was taken into custody Tuesday by Homeland Security Investigations agents and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, according to federal authorities.
The Abington Township Police Department had issued a full-extradition warrant for Vargas on a felony charge of manufacturing, delivering or possessing with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance.
He also faces misdemeanor charges of corruption of minors and selling or furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors.
According to federal investigators, HSI agents identified Vargas as an airport employee and coordinated with CBP officers to apprehend him when he reported to a customs inspection station to address an issue involving the customs seal on his airport badge.
A customs seal is a security authorization issued by CBP that allows vetted airport employees unescorted access to designated customs security areas and federal inspection zones at international airports.
Federal authorities reported that HSI agents and an Abington Township police officer assigned to the Homeland Security Task Force took custody of Vargas at the inspection station.
CBP Area Port Director Elliot N. Ortiz credited cooperation among federal and local law enforcement agencies in locating and apprehending individuals wanted on criminal charges, particularly those involving allegations concerning minors.
Authorities did not provide details about the underlying allegations or specify the date of the alleged offenses.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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