I found the usual quote from a TSA official, applied to this incident... here it is:
"TSA worked very closely with law enforcement on this case, and there was never any threat to the airport or aircraft," said Salt Lake City International Federal Security Director Vera Adams. "All airport employees undergo background checks and are continuously vetted against terrorist watch lists as one of many layers of aviation security."
Source:
ABC4.com - 3 Utahns indicted for smuggling meth through SLC airport
It's funny how it is always TSA saying they worked closely with law enforcement.... why don't we ever see quotes from law enforcement talking about how TSA worked closely with them?
Also of interest is that the ABC4 article says the indictment stated that the smugglers used another 'secure employee door' to bypass security at a California airport. That "California airport" might be LAX, but the indictment does not seem to actually specify which California airport.