Airline passenger refuses search consent, is searched anyway by agent | Behind the Investigation

Searches of innocent passengers at airport boarding gates continue nationwide as federal drug officers look for cash they can seize.

Atlanta News First Investigates documented the practice in the series In Plane Sight, showing how plainclothes officers confront passengers who’ve already successfully cleared inspections by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

In court records, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and federal prosecutors describe these stops as “cold consent encounters.” Multiple videos recorded by passengers show their consent was compelled by agents who told them they would otherwise miss their flights, or face a drug dog screening and a long wait for a search warrant.

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by comedians Eric Andre and Clayton English against Clayton County Police after the men were stopped on the jet bridge at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The judge ruled the men were free to walk away from police at any time, and their bag searches were consensual.

U.S. law allows airline passengers to carry any amount of cash onboard a domestic flight.

#atlantanews #atlantanewsfirst #atlanta #georgia #georgianews #investigations #investigativejournalism #drugs #airports #airlines #search #constitution

[kcsunnyone]

What a prick - that federal agent should be fired and I hope the passenger sues him civilly and personally for harassment and targeting.

[typeorulz]

And kudos to you guys for doing the journalism on this!! Part of the reason they're doing this is to see how far they can push people. The more who resist the better.

[typeorulz]

Does anyone else see these clear signs of narcissism in the so-called authority? This is clearly a case of a jerk being a jerk because he can.

[pedrowhack-a-mole]

Can we say 4th Amendment violation!? Where is the probable cause, or even reasonable suspicion to cause a K-9 search??? Go after these agents personally, strip them of their qualified immunity, and sue their asses off!

[xonx]

The passenger is a hero. He stands up for his rights that we all benefit from. If nobody pushes back against illegal searches, it would just get worse and worse until someday a DEA agent can demand you take off your clothes without any cause or warrant.

[glasshalffull]

I’m a retired law enforcement officer with a 27 year career and this pissed me off to the max. Sue them individually.

[Ghostshadow]

This practice is so disgusting! The courts must put an end to this unconstitutional action!😢

[madcybrarian]

When your property is being held hostage, you are NOT free to go.

[David-nvwv]

End qualified immunity for ALL PEOPLE! Especially COPS!! IF THEY ARE DOING THINGS LEGALLY, THEN THEY DONT NEED QUALIFIED IMMUNITY!!

[jamesknapp]

This is total BS! And that dog is TRAINED to stop at the bag on command! If there was something in there then it would have stopped the first time. Coaching the dog to do what you want is NOT right!

[marionreplogle]

File a lawsuit against the DEA and that agent, for violation of your rights!!!

[bombero]

And that DEA agent bragged about doing it for a long, long time. He definitely was on a power trip, enjoying every moment antagonizing that passenger.

[ianbattles]

"I don't consent to any searches, seizures, or questions, *so either place me under arrest or leave me alone."*

[ConradDunkerson]

This is straight up robbery. They don't have legal grounds to detain these people. They don't have legal grounds to search their baggage. They certainly don't have legal grounds to seize baggage and walk away with it. They'd need probable cause for that... they don't even have reasonable articulable suspicion. This isn't even close.

The DEA is paying people to spend their entire day committing armed robbery. This is professional criminal activity and everyone involved should be arrested and sent to prison for hundreds of violations of Title 18 USC 241, conspiracy to deprivation of rights.

[johnpaulwebb]

The law only applies to those who can afford it.

[mikelakner]

Officers are given a cut of the cash so they are making their best guess as to who might have cash to steal. We should all carry bundles of paper wrapped in a dollar bill to waste their time.

[ianbattles]

Civil Asset Forfeiture implies that there is no legal method or reason for any citizen to possess more than $100 in cash.

[wdtaut]

"I don't consent to any searches. I want an attorney present during any questioning. I invoke my right to remain silent. Am I free to go?" Any answer other than, "No" or "You are being detained" or "You are under arrest", walk away, with your bag...and STFU!

[cplmpcocptcl]

*David, much respect for you.
Dealing with a mentally challenged person in a position of power is terrifying.
There aren’t words for what I think of the DEA, TSA employing such simple minded people.

[NickFinco]

This is one reason I don't want to ever fly again. This corruption shouldn't be allowed in America.