TSA screeners charged in LA drug trafficking probe

In a photo provided by the US Attorney's Office, one of the TSA screeners is arrested at LAX regarding a drug trafficking scheme, April 25, 2012. / US Attorney's Office

(AP) LOS ANGELES - Two former and two current Transportation Security Administration employees were accused of allowing large amounts of cocaine and other drugs to pass through X-ray machines at security checkpoints in exchange for cash, authorities said Wednesday.

The indictment involving drug conspiracy and bribery charges outlined five incidents where the employees took payments of up to $2,400 to provide drug couriers unfettered access at Los Angeles International Airport over a six-month period last year.

"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," said U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte Jr.

Among those arrested and charged are Naral Richardson, 30, of Los Angeles, who was fired by TSA in 2010 and accused of orchestrating the scheme; John Whitfield, 23, of Los Angeles, a current TSA screener; Joy White, 27, of Compton, who was terminated last year; and Capeline McKinney, 25, of Los Angeles, also a current screener.

It wasn't immediately known if any of the four had retained attorneys.

Randy Parsons, TSA's security director at LAX, said the agency is disappointed about the arrests but that it remained committed to holding its employees to the highest standards.

If convicted, all four employees face a minimum of 10 years in federal prison.

[Anthony_Ross]

Join us to protest the TSA by Unfriending a TSA worker on June 1, 2012. See more at http://www.facebook.com/UnfriendATsaAgentDay

[oldman67]

In a report a few months ago congress reported that TSA had been a complete failure and a waster of 35 billion taxpayers dollars.

[rockinsoul]

Depends what you mean by failure. If you mean it serves no benefits to the american people you are right. If you mean the real agenda of making people even more subservient to the police state, then it has been a success. This story does not surprise me one bit.

[stanleyblog]

Do Away with TSA, and those Cancer causing full body radiation machines. We're NOT Safe with them, we're worse off with loss of our civil liberties, and WASTE OF MASSIVE TAX PAYER MONEY. I WANT FUNDING FOR TSA STOPPED by Congress NOW. Theft, Rape, Jello Theft by TSA in Las Vegas, Pedophiles at LAX and Theft of Watches and now this. END TSA. Stop wasting my tax money.

[heyder84]

The police is always behind and in persue of latinos as traficants, drug dealers and criminals, but the reality is that they are americans in security jobs. What a shame.

[micmac666]

It seems that TSA and border patrol would be a good use of returning and unemployed vets who are already trained and disciplined.

[littleredtop]

This is evidence that TSA serves no useful purpose. If drug traffickers can bribe them so can terrorists. Those exposed participants should stand trial for terrorism.

[rockinsoul]

Great point.

[shurch4truth]

...so it must be that all these posters who are slamming the TSA work in professions where there has never been criminals.

[bruisedthumb]

TSA = The Stupid Agency. It is the stupidity of their actions and management. I don't mind paying the dollars, just want it to be effective.

[pleasechoseanother]

Are background checks no longer required to get a security job?

[bruisedthumb]

Clearly not deep enough

[Lerianis4]

Need we say it again: JUST LEGALIZE THE DRUG TRADE AND MOVE ON! To Atlanticum, most of these jobs are not as 'cushy' as people like you who have never done them make them out to be.

[Atlanticum]

The cushy job that somebody graciously gave to you was not enough you greedy cretins?