Originally Posted by
whirledtraveler
Does anyone know what the story is on finding drugs or other illegal items during an Administrative search at an airport in the US? I remember people saying that you can't turn an administrative search into a search which yields evidence in a criminal case.
A big ^ to the Canadian court for doing the right thing. I guess the US isn't the bastion of Democracy and freedom it once was
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To your second point, we were saying that's how it *should* be, but unfortunately it isn't. If, during an Administrative search, items of a criminal nature are found, and law enforcement can be summoned, they can use the findings of the Admin search to conduct a criminal search without your consent, find the evidence, and then press criminal charges. The evidence can be used against you in court.
However, persons who generally conduct Admin searches do not have arrest/detention powers. If the police are not right there to search you, there is nothing to stop you from grabbing your stuff and leaving - and using force against anyone who tries to stop you.
The problem we have at airports is the relatively close proximity of police to the checkpoint, making your quick exit somewhat problematic.