Originally Posted by
doober
His demeanor was not out of line. He was asking about his rights in light of a search that the TSA was taking too far.
Further, your argument highlighted above serves to bring to the fore that the TSA is searching for more than WEI. I don't think they will go there.
To address your first point, he can legally ask what his rights are to his heart's content. What his intentions were, are more than likely another story.
On your second point, I'm sure they will say the money was found incident to a lawful search for WEI. This discovery resulted in the police being notified who subsequently assumed the investigation.
The legal questions I see here are:
1. Can the $10,000 directive be upheld?
2. Was the money discovered during a search for WEI and located in a place where WEI could be?
3. At what point was it discovered that the amount of cash was below the directive's threshold?
4. Was there reasonable suspicion before the amount was confirmed?
5. After the amount was confirmed, was there a reason to continue the investigation?
6. If there was reason to continue the investigation, what facts determined the outcome?