The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to suspend all passenger searches at airports and other mass transportation hubs after a report from the DOJ’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) uncovered significant issues with the agency’s practices. The investigation revealed that DEA officers were failing to follow internal protocols for consensual encounters with passengers, creating potential legal and operational risks.
The OIG report highlighted multiple instances where the DEA did not comply with its own guidelines, including failing to document consensual encounters and suspending mandatory training for DEA personnel. These lapses raised concerns about the improper handling of searches and the violation of passengers’ rights. The suspension of training since 2023 has left DEA Task Force personnel inadequately prepared to handle critical operations, leading to a lack of oversight.
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
A particular case raised by the OIG report involved a DEA Task Force officer’s encounter with a passenger who had declined consent. Despite this, the officer proceeded to detain the traveler’s bag and used a drug detection dog to search it, although no contraband was found. This incident raised questions about the fairness and legality of such encounters, especially when consent is denied.
The OIG also uncovered that a DEA confidential source, an airline employee, had been paid a portion of forfeited cash from previous seizures, leading to concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest. The employee had provided information that influenced DEA searches, further complicating the situation.
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 facilities unless tied to an ongoing investigation or approved by a DEA administrator. The decision underscores the DOJ’s commitment to ensuring that law enforcement actions comply with legal standards and respect individuals’ rights.
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
This suspension highlights the increasing scrutiny on law enforcement practices and the importance of oversight in maintaining public trust. As the DEA and other agencies work to reform their practices, the issue of accountability remains at the forefront of discussions about law enforcement’s role in public safety.
