I wish I could say I am surprised, but I am not: a Transportation Security Administration Officer at Los Angeles International Airport was busted on Sunday for aiding and abetting a drug smuggler sneak 15lbs of marijuana past security. Turns out she had helped the guy nine times in the past with a payout of $500 each incident.
Peaks Jr. admitted he bribed a TSA agent, Dianna Perez, to let his suitcase go through security screening for an American Airlines flight. He and Perez also said that they had worked together before and that several thousands of dollars had exchanged hands…
The arrest came when the suitcase was searched after other baggage handlers smelled marijuana.
Stop for a moment and think of the gravity of this security breach. My concern is not about the marijuana, but the fact a TSA (for only $500!) turned her back on nine different occasions as a passenger smuggled items to the secure side of the airport. What else might have been smuggled past security? Guns? Bombs? No full body scanner or interrogation can protect against that! Any half-bright terrorist should take note: TSOs can be bought and it won’t even set you back that much.
TSO Perez tried to lie her way out the situation and deny she was involved when confronted, before finally breaking down and confessing to the FBI. I am even less comforted at the thought of liars in positions of authority than I am of what might slip through a security checkpoint.
And as a side note, the drug smuggler is the son of LA’s former fire chief. Boy do I miss So. Cal…
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