The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to halt its practice of conducting passenger searches at airports and other public transportation sites. This decision follows a report by the DOJ’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG), which raised serious concerns about the DEA’s failure to follow established policies regarding consensual encounters.
The OIG’s findings indicate that DEA officers were not adhering to their internal guidelines, including failing to document consensual encounters and allowing required training to lapse. These lapses have created significant operational risks, with potential legal consequences for both the DEA and passengers involved in these searches.
DOJ suspends DEA searches at airports over civil rights concerns https://t.co/3GFxKhVkrm pic.twitter.com/Gt2OlnjBF3
— New York Post (@nypost) November 23, 2024
One particularly concerning case involved a DEA Task Force officer’s search of a passenger’s carry-on bag after the traveler declined consent. Despite the lack of consent, the officer proceeded to detain the bag, and a drug detection dog was used to search it. No illegal items were found, but the encounter resulted in the passenger missing their flight. This incident, captured on video, has raised serious concerns about the DEA’s practices and the lack of accountability.
Yesterday, the DOJ suspended the DEA's controversial practice of having agents intercept airport travelers, interrogate them and insist on searching their bags.
These encounters are *supposed* to be consensual but flyers often get the impression that they have no choice but to… pic.twitter.com/UTY7UVuL9U
— Institute for Justice (@IJ) November 22, 2024
The OIG report also revealed that the DEA had been working with a confidential source from a commercial airline, who had been paid a percentage of forfeited cash from previous seizures. This financial arrangement raised questions about the integrity of the information used to select passengers for consensual encounters and the potential conflicts of interest involved.
In response to these findings, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco ordered a suspension of all consensual encounters at transportation facilities unless they are linked to an ongoing investigation or specifically approved by the DEA. This action is part of a broader effort to address concerns about the DEA’s practices and ensure that its operations are both legal and ethical.
Drug Enforcement Administration agents will not be allowed to conduct random searches of travelers at airports and other transportation facilities after an investigation by a Justice Dept. watchdog raised concerns about the conduct of agency personnel. https://t.co/iIX6mpPqTz
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) November 21, 2024
The suspension of these searches reflects the DOJ’s commitment to improving oversight of law enforcement activities and protecting individual rights. As the investigation continues, the DOJ will seek to address the legal and procedural shortcomings identified by the OIG report.
