>> i have to tell you. we need more of that. >> reporter: as americans enjoy better days that are finally here, worrisome times could be ahead. miguel almaguer, nbc news also new tonight homeland security says smugglers started to hide drugs in a dangerous place on passenger planes tom costello on the potential risk to travelers in partnership with our new york affiliate, wnbc >> reporter: at jfk airport in new york, international drug smuggling has gone right under the feet of the unsuspecting pilots >> this is an ideal spot to put something. >> reporter: inside the avionics bay, the brains of a modern jet liner. homeland security inspectors tell our partners at wnbc new york they found more than 30 kilos of cocaine and heroin jammed into the compartments, already packed with electronics and computers that control the plane's radios and auto pilot functions aviation experts warn that could cause critical systems to overheat. >> you could lose communication radios