DOJ Orders DEA to Suspend Searches of Passengers at Airports
The Department of Justice has ordered the Drug Enforcement Agency to suspend searches of passengers at airports due to concerns over compliance with policy on consensual encounters. DEA officers were not documenting encounters, leading to operational and legal risks.
Key Points
- DEA officers were not complying with policy on consensual encounters
- Training for DEA Task Force Group personnel was suspended since 2023
- DEA selected travelers for encounters based on information from a DEA confidential source
- DEA paying an airline employee a percentage of forfeited cash seized from passengers
Pros
- Increased oversight and accountability within the DEA
- Potential prevention of racial profiling in consensual encounters
Cons
- Operational and legal risks due to lack of compliance with policy
- Potential misuse of confidential sources for targeting travelers