The lid’s been blown on a gun-smuggling operation at Delta Airlines in the US.

Baggage handler Eugene Harvey is accused of using his security clearance to provide guns to a passenger.

Correspondent Emma Dallimore told Newstalk ZB’s Tim Dower the man’s accomplice was discovered to have boarded a plane in Atlanta with 18 guns in his carry-on luggage.

He’s accused of bringing guns on five flights and on-selling them in New York.

“It’s alleged they supplied a total of 129 handguns and two assault rifles to people in New York.

“It all came undone for them when one of those co-conspirators sold a gun to an undercover police officer.”

Dallimore says Delta Airlines baggage handler Eugene Harvey is at the centre of the allegations.

“His accomplice managed to board a flight in Atlanta with 18 guns and ammunition in his carry on bag – seven of those guns were loaded.”

Emma Dallimore says that passenger, Mark Henry, smuggled firearms in his carry-on luggage on five different flights, before on-selling them on the streets of New York.