Transportation Security Administration drug-smuggling case stems from airport mix-up

A Transportation Security Administration screener is arrested at Los Angeles International Airport in an alleged drug trafficking scheme in this picture provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office April 25, 2012. / U.S. Attorney's Office

(AP) LOS ANGELES - Duane Eleby, a suspected drug courier, was all set to sneak 10 pounds of cocaine through a security checkpoint at Los Angeles International Airport last February with the help of a former Transportation Security Administration employee and a screener.

Eleby, however, bungled the plan by going to the wrong terminal and was arrested after another TSA screener found the cocaine, which set in motion a series of undercover operations that led to Wednesday's announcement that two former and current TSA employees had been indicted on federal drug trafficking and bribery charges.

A 22-count indictment outlined five incidents where the TSA employees took payments of up to $2,400 to provide drug couriers unfettered access at LAX over a six-month period last year. In all, seven people are facing charges, including Eleby.

"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.

TSA screeners charged in LA drug trafficking probe

Among those arrested and charged are Naral Richardson, 30, of Los Angeles, who was fired by TSA for an unrelated matter 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. Authorities didn't say what post Richardson, who began working for TSA in 2002, once held.

Eleby was given specific written instructions by White last February to ensure his safe passage through the airport, according to the indictment. Instead of going to Terminal 6 where White, who was hired six years ago, was located, Eleby went to Terminal 5 where his plane was scheduled to depart, authorities said.

The plan, court documents show, was to have Eleby use a secure tunnel linking the two terminals after he was allowed through security by White.

Despite Eleby's arrest, the smuggling scheme continued and federal agents set up a sting where informants were able to pass cocaine and methamphetamine through security checkpoints without further inspection.

In one case, after nearly 8 pounds of meth went through an X-ray machine, Whitfield and an operative met in an airport bathroom where Whitfield was paid $600 for his efforts, court documents show.

In another instance, McKinney let more than 44 pounds of cocaine pass through her security checkpoint, authorities said.

None of the drugs ever made it to their final destination, authorities said.

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. Whitfield, who has worked at TSA since 2008, and McKinney, a seven-year veteran, are under suspension, authorities said.

There have been a handful of other arrests of TSA employees since the agency was created in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Last week, former TSA officer Jonathan Best pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone for his role in a painkiller trafficking ring. Another former TSA officer, a former New York police officer and a former Florida state trooper have already pleaded guilty.

[fisher1949]

This makes 16 TSA workers arrested this year including one last week for child pornography. This agency is so full of criminals and perverts that it looks like a work release program. Crime, abuse and incompetence is so widespread in TSA that even Kip Hawley, the last TSA Director, has called for its overhaul. To make matter worse, TSA only fires these criminals after they get caught.

In 2011 there were 72 TSA screeners arrested for serious crimes, including 11 for child sex crimes and 4 for smuggling drugs through security. One more was arrested in 2012 for drug smuggling and now four more in a separate incident.

Yet the TSA apologists who continue to say that this crime and abuse by TSA is somehow improving airline security.

Just this week they've molested three children, a ten year old with a diabetes pump, a four year old who hugged her grandma, molested a seven year old with cerebral palsy twice and sexually assaulted a Congressman and four TSA screeners were arrested for smuggling drugs through LAX.

This just demonstrates how stupid and sick the whole TSA approach is and why it needs to be overhauled. TSA has done more damage to our liberty, way of life and morality than Al Qaeda could have ever hoped to do.

It's long past time to replace this agency with a sensible and effective system and prosecute thise responsible for this travesty.

[fortuenti]

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
copssaylegalizedrugs.org

"Criminal justice professionals speaking out against the War on Drugs"

Invite one to speak in your town.
http://www.leap.cc/watch-a-video/

[Obama4more]

"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,"
----
They must have been republicans...?

[mknghorn]

simple solution;no one works the same terminal every day and no one gets their work assignment untill they get to work.having the same person at the same gate day after day is an obvious potential security problem.shake up personel too. two people work together long enough, they collude. so move them around.it's not like they are doing a mentally challenging job just an important one.

[addict42]

They should just do away with the criminality and theatrics of the TSA, has it ever done anything useful? Just go back to the way flights were screened before 9/11 but place qualified individuals in and pay them handsomely.

[Superstarzchef]

greedy criminals taking advantage of their power. Blacks, whites, asians, does it matter? They should be held to a higher standard as they FAILED all of America. God forbid one of those monkeys let a suitcase bomb in the country for $2000.00. What next? The TSA is "supposed" to do thorough "pre-screening" records/security checks on these "people". The situation with the TSa is beyond reasonable. The Government needs to address this; yet certain "people" won't because they are getting rich off the contracts. This is why we have the problems. Lax leadership within the TSA and low wages attracting "undesirables". This agency has been a constant source of embarrassment to both Presidencies. Worse then the secret Service scandel now in the papers. Some guy banging a ***** overseas doesn't (in my mind at least) equate with what the TSA has allowed to happen over the last # of years. The constant horror stories emanating out of the TSA is becoming unbearably difficult in my mind. Children, grandmothers, the sick in wheelchairs, etc., etc., being "patted down" in the name of 'fair play' is an abuse of more then our Civil Liberties.
I again, point to the Israelis who have a tenfold more experience in this area; and they exclusively profile the passengers of ALL international/domestic flights based on common sense. It is that last item--Common Sense-- which is severely lacking in this country. We need to look at the people who are going to perpetrate these types of crimes and put roadblocks in their way. It won't be long before a terrorist "sleeper" infiltrates the TSA and allows the dirty bomb/terrorist cell to conduct their operations against us again. If the TSA can't stop a pack of thieves, how are they EVER going to stop a clandestine group of terrorists from acting out their diabolical plans on American soil? This whole situation is just mindboggling, as these people are clearly NOT the ones who are protecting us.
Ask yourselves how and why Israel has NEVER suffered through another hijacking of one of their planes after Entebbe?

[amerilatino]

Looks like the TSA can't cut the mustard as far as employee selection, training, supervision and follow-through. Perhaps a bit of "reorganization" would do the agency some good, the type that puts failing members of higher and mid-level management on the unemployment lines...

[jgnv]

You've got to wonder where it all ends. Everyday, it's another government agency in the news. I've often wondered, ever since TSA initiated so many policies regarding items that can be confiscated, what happened to all those lotions, colognes, lighters, nail clippers, etc. I had two small snow globes for my grandkids confiscated by a TSA agent one time. When I asked him what would be done with them, he said they would be destroyed. (yeah, right!)

[mabes69]

"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."

Is this for REAL????

[fhill123]

It is to him and the "check is in the mail also".

[Bonelazy]

If you don't like TSA, and like any sane person recognise it as both an infringement on your rights and a waste of time then refuse to cooperate. There two ways to do this as I see it. Either Don't Fly, take the train or use Skype which will cause the airlines to Panic or If you must fly, Refuse to go through their Magic box. If a vast majority of people showing up at the airport are demanding to be patted down, then the whole process will collapse. So far people have been like sheep and so the process has not only continued but worsened. The thing people don't realise is that if they have already checked in their baggage the plane can't leave without them. The airline has to remove that persons luggage before the plane can depart. If the plane misses it's "Slot" the whole rest of the schedule is thrown into turmoil. We as people have the power to shut down every airport in the country as a protest to not only the TSA but the patriot act. WAKE UP AMERICA. Your inaction is allowing YOUR country to be turned into a police state. If you Hate what is happening but are to self absorbed to do anything about it, Then you shouldn't be complaining. Never mind occupy Wallstreet, How about Occupy the Airport.

[credibility2]

...interesting this report falling on the same day as the over-reaction to TSA agents doing a pat-down of a four year old...is there no end to the TSA's stupidity...look at the mind pool they pick from....

[Skylinerbr]

You, your friends, and your family are always free to apply for these jobs. That way there will be no more TSA stupidity and you'll have good jobs with great pay and benefits.