TSA screeners arrested for drug trafficking at LAX
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (BDCi) – Two former and two current Transportation Security Administration screeners at Los Angeles International Airport have been arrested on federal narcotics trafficking and bribery charges.
The screeners are charged with allegedly taking cash payments to allow large shipments of cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana to pass through the X-ray machines at TSA security checkpoints.
In addition to the current and former TSA officials, one drug courier is currently in state custody and another drug courier is expected to surrender tomorrow. Authorities are continuing to search for another alleged drug courier named in a 22-count grand jury indictment that was unsealed Thursday morning.
The indictment outlines five specific incidents in which current and former TSA employees took payments of as much as $2,400 to allow suitcases filled with drugs to pass through X-ray machines while TSA screeners looked the other way.
If the alleged current and former employees of TSA are convicted the face stiff mandatory minimum penalties and each would face a potential sentence of life imprisonment.
By: Natania Levine
Courtesy: ktla.com
Photo: pakalertpress.com
26 April 2012
10:29 a.m P.D.T