The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to cease all passenger searches at airports and transportation hubs following a damning report by the DOJ’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The report revealed that the DEA had failed to adhere to its own policies governing consensual encounters, raising significant legal and operational concerns.
The OIG’s investigation found that the DEA had not been properly documenting consensual encounters with passengers, nor had it been conducting the necessary training for DEA personnel since 2023. These lapses in procedure led to concerns about the legality of certain searches, as well as the agency’s overall effectiveness in carrying out its duties.
One of the cases investigated involved a traveler who was approached by the DEA for a consensual encounter, despite declining to give consent. The DEA officers detained the passenger’s bag and used a drug detection dog, even though no contraband was found. This incident, which caused the traveler to miss their flight, was recorded and raised further questions about the agency’s practices.
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
Additionally, the OIG report uncovered troubling details about the DEA’s collaboration with a confidential source who worked for a commercial airline. This source had been paid a percentage of forfeited funds from previous DEA seizures, creating potential conflicts of interest and casting doubt on the integrity of the 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
In light of the OIG’s findings, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco ordered the suspension of consensual encounters at transportation facilities unless they are linked to an ongoing investigation or approved by a DEA administrator. This directive underscores the DOJ’s commitment to ensuring that law enforcement agencies operate within the bounds of the law and protect citizens’ 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
The suspension of these passenger searches is a critical step toward restoring public trust in law enforcement practices. As the investigation into the DEA’s handling of searches continues, it highlights the need for proper oversight and transparency in law enforcement operations.
