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Four Transportation Security Administration airport screeners have been arrested on charges of reaping thousands of dollars in a plot to allow suitcases filled with drugs to pass through security screening checkpoints, the authorities said Wednesday.

The four — two current and two former TSA screeners — were indicted on charges (.pdf) of conspiring to allow bags filled with cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana to pass through screening machines at least five times at Los Angeles International Airport. A drug courier has also been arrested. Another courier is expected to surrender and a third mule involved in the alleged scheme is at large, the authorities said.

The charges come shortly after renewed allegations that TSA’s screening devices, which have been heavily criticized, can easily be gamed.

“The allegations in this case describe a significant breakdown of the screening system through the conduct of individuals who placed greed above the nation’s security needs,” André Birotte Jr., the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, said in a statement.

According to the indictment, the TSA screeners conspired with drug couriers or an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration “confidential source” to smuggle narcotics. The screeners each are accused of allowing at least 20 kilograms of cocaine and other drugs to pass through. One alleged drug courier recently indicted, Duane Eleby, 28, of California, was arrested with 5 kilograms of cocaine after he went through the wrong LAX checkpoint, the authorities said.

The TSA screeners indicted, they are:
The former TSA screener terminated in 2010 is accused of orchestrating five incidents in which TSA screeners allowed drugs to pass through.
The TSA screener allegedly worked with Richardson to allow 4 kilograms of methamphetamine to get through, as well as 20 kilograms of cocaine.
The former TSA screener terminated last year is accused of allowing a shipment of more than 20 kilograms of cocaine to go by.
The TSA screener is accused of allowing at least 20 kilograms to get through.

Unfortunately, reports of TSA negligence and harassment are coming at us daily:

Quote:

The Transportation Security Administration is under scrutiny for its treatment of a 7-year-old girl with cerebral palsy. When Dina Frank traveled through New York's JFK International Airport with her parents, she and her family were pulled out of line as they tried to board their plane. The airport's TSA agents and the Franks are in dispute over how the family was treated at security after Dina endured what the Franks referred to as an "exceptionally aggressive screening." Dina walks with the aid of metal crutches and leg braces, so she can't go through a traditional metal detector and has to be manually patted down. Dina's parents say that she is developmentally disabled and often gets frightened by the procedure, so they often request that TSA agents introduce themselves before screening Dina.
Her father, Dr. Joshua Frank, began taping the screening with his iPhone, but said that he was screamed at, cursed at, and threatened as he tried to document what was happening. The Franks said a supervisor eventually allowed them to go to their gate, having decided that inspecting the crutches was acceptable.
However, an hour after the family had arrived at their departure gate, TSA agents showed up and said the Franks would need to return to the security area for an additional screening. By the time the family had returned to the gate after Dina's rescreening, their flight had departed.
Dr. Frank, a pediatrician from Long Island, and his wife, Marcy, believe their daughter was unfairly singled out. He says he understands that the TSA is charged with protecting national security, but says "they're harassing people" and have a "totally misguided policy."

Our customers have to go through this to spend money with us :(

In honor of the anniversary of the UBL raid, I would like to see the US Navy SEALs run security at our nation's major airports. Dina and her family would be saluted for her bravery and courage while the real rats were smoked out of their holes.

Avg,

Since they are sending orbiters to museums, I propose we send one of the mock ups and left over boosters into orbit with the terrorists we currently have in custody and let the attorneys and North Koreans figure out how to get them back down. They are into to rocketry.

Could be the beginning of a proud Saudi space program. Instead of being martyrs they would simply be victims of North Korea and Iran's inability to resupply them.

:Bar,
I love it!!! BTW...it is just about 1500 ATL time. I need a caucasian!!!:D

On the brighter side, TSA tried to set up shop at the SAV train station, and were to pack it in by AMTRAC security. Gov. to gov. working for you....