Drugs smuggled by airline from PHX to East Coast
Oct 4, 2017, 2:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
Drugs smuggled by airline from PHX to East Coast
I can't find anything in writing about this yet, but News 4 New York has just reported a drug bust wherein cocaine came in from Phoenix via commercial air travel in suitcases with false bottoms, often carry ons. Drugs arrived in NY via air and then were distributed across several states
TSA comment reported to be "we don't search for drugs"
If this isn't a TSA fail, I don't know what is.
ETA: I believe the report said that up to 7 kilos were smuggled as often as 3 times a week for the past year.
TSA comment reported to be "we don't search for drugs"
If this isn't a TSA fail, I don't know what is.
ETA: I believe the report said that up to 7 kilos were smuggled as often as 3 times a week for the past year.
Last edited by petaluma1; Oct 4, 2017 at 2:37 pm
Oct 4, 2017, 2:40 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,228
TSA doesn't and shouldn't search for drugs but they do search for anomalies. Seems bags as described should look odd on x-ray. Of course we've seen previous stories of such trafficking where TSA was part and parcel to the endeavor. Bets?
.
.
Oct 4, 2017, 2:48 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
My first thought was how many explosives could be brought on board in false bottom suitcases.
Oct 4, 2017, 2:58 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,228
In my opinion way to much effort is expended looking for things that just aren't threats, not to mention where TSA is looking.
Oct 4, 2017, 3:11 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,228
Police: 17 people charged in multi-state drug running ring
http://newjersey.news12.com/story/36...g-running-ring
Police: 17 people charged in multi-state drug running ring
Prosecutors announced that 17 people were indicted for allegedly smuggling cocaine from an airport in Phoenix, Arizona into John F. Kennedy Airport. Those drugs, they say, would then be resold in Queens, Nassau County, Chicago, Maine, Maryland and Virginia.
Oct 4, 2017, 3:19 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
http://newjersey.news12.com/story/36...g-running-ring
This appears to be related to the report by OP.
This appears to be related to the report by OP.
Oct 4, 2017, 11:44 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: AA Gold AAdvantage Elite, Rapids Reward
Posts: 38,358
http://newjersey.news12.com/story/36...g-running-ring
This appears to be related to the report by OP.
This appears to be related to the report by OP.
Oct 5, 2017, 9:37 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,657
Oct 5, 2017, 9:57 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,657
TSA did not find any weapons, explosives, or incendiaries in the bags.
For all we know, they found the hidden compartments, (correctly) determined that the items in the hidden compartments were not a threat to aviation, and allowed the bags to pass.
For all we know, they found the hidden compartments, (correctly) determined that the items in the hidden compartments were not a threat to aviation, and allowed the bags to pass.
Oct 5, 2017, 10:12 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,827
Yeah right.
Corrolary to Hanlon's Law: When it comes to TSA, never ascribe to thoughtful intent what could equally be explained by stupidity.
Oct 5, 2017, 10:13 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
However, TSA claims that if it finds drugs it has to report them. Therefore, it seems to me 1. TSA never found the hidden compartments or 2. TSA screeners were complicit in allowing the bags through screening.
Oct 5, 2017, 12:22 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,228
So a TSA screeners finds a package of something in a hidden compartment of a suitcase and does nothing? Is that really the argument you want to make?
Oct 5, 2017, 12:41 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,657
Yes, I'm all about Occam's Razor and Hanlon's Law; I cite them all the time.
A passenger tries to smuggle drugs in their luggage. If a TSA inspector finds the drugs, forum denizens will criticize TSA for exceeding the scope of their authority. If a TSA inspector doesn't find the drugs, forum denizens will criticize TSA for not searching thoroughly enough. I guess you can't win if you're TSA.
Oh, wait, this is TS/S. Never mind. As you were. I'm out.