The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has instructed the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to halt all passenger searches at airports and other mass transit locations after an investigation by the DOJ’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) revealed significant policy violations. The report highlighted numerous issues with how the DEA was conducting consensual encounters with passengers, leading to the suspension of these searches until further review.
According to the OIG report, the DEA’s failure to follow its internal policies, including not documenting consensual encounters and the suspension of mandatory training for its Task Force personnel, has created operational and legal risks. These violations could have jeopardized passengers’ rights and compromised the integrity of the DEA’s operations.
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
One case mentioned in the report described a situation in which a DEA officer detained a traveler’s bag after the passenger refused consent. Despite the lack of consent, a drug detection dog was used, and no contraband was found. The traveler missed their flight due to the delay, and a video recording of the incident later surfaced, raising further concerns about the DEA’s handling of such encounters.
The OIG also noted that the DEA had been working with a confidential source who was employed by a commercial airline and had been receiving a percentage of seized cash from prior operations. This relationship created potential conflicts of interest and raised questions about the impartiality of the searches being conducted.
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
In response to the findings, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco ordered the suspension of consensual encounters at transportation hubs unless they are part of an active investigation or have received prior approval from the DEA. The suspension reflects a commitment to ensuring that the DEA operates within legal and ethical boundaries, prioritizing transparency and accountability.
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 signals an effort to restore public confidence in the DEA’s practices, ensuring that law enforcement actions are not only effective but also respect the rights of individuals. As the investigation continues, the broader issue of oversight and the balance between security and civil liberties will remain a key concern.
