Three men accused of trafficking guns from Atlanta into Brooklyn are being charged with aggravated enterprise corruption -- the first time the charge has been filed in New York State, authorities said Wednesday.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Four suspects had been arrested on charges accusing them of conspiring to sell 153 guns, nearly all of which were purchased in Georgia, on the streets of Brooklyn.

One suspect, a former Delta Air Lines employee, allegedly brought backpacks of guns and ammo aboard commercial flights nearly 20 times. A Delta ramp agent was charged with helping the smuggling operation.

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Prosecutor-Uses-New-Law-to-Upgrade-Charges-Against-Gun-Running-Suspects-368362861.html