They stole an ocean-full of booze — one shot at a time.
Authorities today busted up an airport alcohol theft ring, which stole tens of thousands of tiny plastic mini-bottles meant for aircraft flying out of JFK, sources said.
The group of alleged bottle bandits included 15 workers for the airline catering company Sky Chef and three private airport security guards.
They were arrested early today after an investigation that began in February, and which included an informant buying 55,000 stolen bottles from the crooks, said Michael Nestor, Director of Investigations for the Port Authority’s Office of Inspector General.
After busting the suspects, officials allegedly found 100,000 stolen bottles at the Queens home of one of the ring leaders.
The thieves allegedly sold the bottles to city bodegas for $1 a pop for regular brands, and $2 each for top shelf hooch, such as cognac .
The stores then sold the bottles to unwitting consumers for a 100-percent mark-up.
The Port Authority is planning a press conference for later this afternoon to reveal more details.