At US and, by agreement with non-US airports, FAMs and certain other LEOs flying armed typically check in with the local airport police at a special out-of-public-view location that then has direct access into the sterile areas without going near the PSCs. Also by agreement, FAMs are subject to the same screening on exiting a country (and entering the US) as all other pax exiting/entering the country. However, FAMs, as a professional courtesy for being "trusted LEOs," (and similar to other special pax such as diplomats and VIPs) are generally afforded minimal customs inspections.

The investigation of this went on for 2 years, which means in all likelihood it was going on for far longer than that. In addition, and quite concerning to me, is that they have compromised themselves and have been open to extortion/blackmail and being forced to participate in the smuggling of any number of other items or violating other laws/regs/etc (such as sharing SSI or actual classified information).

FAMs, you have a deep problem.....