Dallas FAMS Smuggle Viagra
Dec 23, 2020, 9:51 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,110
Dallas FAMS Smuggle Viagra
Kind of thin on hard information but it seems some Dallas Federal Air Marshal Service employees have been successful in getting TSA in the news as the year draws to a close. The charges seem to revolve around smuggling legal but undeclared Viagra into the country for later unlawful resale/gifting to others. From a security POV if FAMS can't be trusted to comply with the law then what's their value? If screening at the border for insiders is so limited then have standards been reduced too much? And of course when a person is willing to smuggle can they be trusted to not escalate that behavior to truly dangerous things?
Viagra-smuggling scandal hits federal air marshals
Viagra-smuggling scandal hits federal air marshals
Dec 23, 2020, 6:38 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Dallas FAMs got the attention for illegal smuggling -- and it is illegal smuggling -- but this kind of thing has been going on with FAMs from other areas too who have been quite into the "party scene" at their destinations at home and abroad.
Whether or not illegal smuggling of Viagra makes them more likely to smuggle other illegal drugs into the US, sounds like it should be grounds for termination from employment. It also begs the question about what foreign laws they may have violated in the process of doing this kind of thing.
Whether or not illegal smuggling of Viagra makes them more likely to smuggle other illegal drugs into the US, sounds like it should be grounds for termination from employment. It also begs the question about what foreign laws they may have violated in the process of doing this kind of thing.
Last edited by GUWonder; Dec 23, 2020 at 6:44 pm
Dec 24, 2020, 12:14 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: AA Gold AAdvantage Elite, Rapids Reward
Posts: 38,324
Dallas FAMs got the attention for illegal smuggling -- and it is illegal smuggling -- but this kind of thing has been going on with FAMs from other areas too who have been quite into the "party scene" at their destinations at home and abroad.
Whether or not illegal smuggling of Viagra makes them more likely to smuggle other illegal drugs into the US, sounds like it should be grounds for termination from employment. It also begs the question about what foreign laws they may have violated in the process of doing this kind of thing.
Whether or not illegal smuggling of Viagra makes them more likely to smuggle other illegal drugs into the US, sounds like it should be grounds for termination from employment. It also begs the question about what foreign laws they may have violated in the process of doing this kind of thing.
Dec 24, 2020, 10:52 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,110
Dallas FAMs got the attention for illegal smuggling -- and it is illegal smuggling -- but this kind of thing has been going on with FAMs from other areas too who have been quite into the "party scene" at their destinations at home and abroad.
Whether or not illegal smuggling of Viagra makes them more likely to smuggle other illegal drugs into the US, sounds like it should be grounds for termination from employment. It also begs the question about what foreign laws they may have violated in the process of doing this kind of thing.
Whether or not illegal smuggling of Viagra makes them more likely to smuggle other illegal drugs into the US, sounds like it should be grounds for termination from employment. It also begs the question about what foreign laws they may have violated in the process of doing this kind of thing.
Dec 24, 2020, 9:19 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Baltimore, MD USA
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards. Tha... that's about it.
Posts: 4,332
I think the bigger picture items should address if changes to immigration or checkpoint screenings based solely on employment are justified? I tend to think not. A side note, at least TSA screeners hands seem clean on this one. Not their job to screen for drugs and medicines.
Which is probably how all this started in the first place - if FAMs, like flight crews and airport workers, are trusted at such a high level, it makes sense that they not be fully screened every time the enter the sterile area on duty. Which, unfortunately, presents a golden opportunity for smuggling by crooked FAMs.
Dec 27, 2020, 7:06 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Greensboro
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,424
This page has some basic info about LEOs and how they are authorized to fly armed (including some situations that do not warrant flying armed). It does not detail the process through which they screen onto the aircraft. However, common sense dictates that LEOs that are flying armed (all of them) will have a different set of rules for screening than the average individual. I can't tell you that process, but I will ask one question, that if you answer it, will give you an information extrapolation opportunity.
How many times have you seen a LEO place a firearm on the belt for screening?
How many times have you seen a LEO place a firearm on the belt for screening?
Dec 27, 2020, 8:03 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,110
Think you guys are all missing the point. The screening point in this case is for reentry into the country. That's the point that excessive drugs or other such items should be of interest. The question to me, should FAM's be trusted enough to have different immigration clearance rules? Evidence is suggesting no! Maybe a separate clearance area for government/crew workers but normal procedures otherwise.
Dec 27, 2020, 6:27 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: An NPR mind living in a Fox News world
Posts: 14,165
A federal air marshal on a transatlantic flight reportedly forgot her loaded gun in the bathroom of a Delta plane headed from England to New York, where it was discovered by another passenger, WNYW reported.
<snip>
Oops! We forgot to report it to our boss:
The New York Times reported that the passenger gave the weapon to a member of the flight crew, who returned it to the air marshal. But she failed to report the incident to her supervisor, which is required by law, for several days, the Times reported.
<snip>
Oops! We forgot to report it to our boss:
The New York Times reported that the passenger gave the weapon to a member of the flight crew, who returned it to the air marshal. But she failed to report the incident to her supervisor, which is required by law, for several days, the Times reported.
In 2015, a federal air marshal left his gun in a bathroom stall at Newark Liberty International Airport, WNYW reported. That gun was found by a janitor.
Dec 28, 2020, 10:37 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: An NPR mind living in a Fox News world
Posts: 14,165
Dallas FAMs got the attention for illegal smuggling -- and it is illegal smuggling -- but this kind of thing has been going on with FAMs from other areas too who have been quite into the "party scene" at their destinations at home and abroad.
Whether or not illegal smuggling of Viagra makes them more likely to smuggle other illegal drugs into the US, sounds like it should be grounds for termination from employment. It also begs the question about what foreign laws they may have violated in the process of doing this kind of thing.
Whether or not illegal smuggling of Viagra makes them more likely to smuggle other illegal drugs into the US, sounds like it should be grounds for termination from employment. It also begs the question about what foreign laws they may have violated in the process of doing this kind of thing.
Law enforcement officials say they see several potentially criminal violations, including the importation of the prescribed medicine for distribution without a license. They point out that the ingredients used to produce the drug abroad may not have been properly inspected or meet FDA requirements, as counterfeiting is also a consistent issue.
Bill Beller, the air marshal chapter president for the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, said he had referred around five air marshals in Dallas who had come to him seeking legal representation related to the investigation.
“We have pride in our positions, and some people — whatever they did — I believe it was an error or error in judgment,” he said.
“We have pride in our positions, and some people — whatever they did — I believe it was an error or error in judgment,” he said.
Dec 28, 2020, 1:21 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Greensboro
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,424
Think you guys are all missing the point. The screening point in this case is for reentry into the country. That's the point that excessive drugs or other such items should be of interest. The question to me, should FAM's be trusted enough to have different immigration clearance rules? Evidence is suggesting no! Maybe a separate clearance area for government/crew workers but normal procedures otherwise.
You're right. They usually just leave them in the lavs.
Guess they also like to drop guns off in terrestrial lavatories as well:
Guess they also like to drop guns off in terrestrial lavatories as well:
Smuggling in meds that a family member needs and you were able to obtain through shady means is still a willful decision, but one with mitigating circumstances, that *may* be able to pass off as a lapse in judgement (not really, I am just using that as a comparative for something more understandable).
The overall premise that someone smuggling in meds and selling them is a lapse in judgement for a LEO, is BS on the face of it. I am actually a bit flabbergasted that the spokesperson has presented it this way, it is perhaps one of the least compelling statements of defense I have ever seen.
Dec 28, 2020, 1:31 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: An NPR mind living in a Fox News world
Posts: 14,165
Smuggling in meds that a family member needs and you were able to obtain through shady means is still a willful decision, but one with mitigating circumstances, that *may* be able to pass off as a lapse in judgement (not really, I am just using that as a comparative for something more understandable).
Dec 28, 2020, 2:31 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,110
I have no beef with a separate screening area, maybe even have them be allowed to operate similar to GE, where they get selected for reduced screening or the wave-through sometimes, but the others, hit an annex of to the side for crew/diplomats, etc.
Come on, have you never.... Ok, you got me, I have nothing to come back with. Both instances were pretty stellar examples of failure to maintain control of your assigned firearm, which is a pretty big pet peeve of mine.
Smuggling meds in (or out) for that matter, and selling them is not a lapse in judgement, it is a willful decision to commit illegal acts.
Smuggling in meds that a family member needs and you were able to obtain through shady means is still a willful decision, but one with mitigating circumstances, that *may* be able to pass off as a lapse in judgement (not really, I am just using that as a comparative for something more understandable).
The overall premise that someone smuggling in meds and selling them is a lapse in judgement for a LEO, is BS on the face of it. I am actually a bit flabbergasted that the spokesperson has presented it this way, it is perhaps one of the least compelling statements of defense I have ever seen.
Come on, have you never.... Ok, you got me, I have nothing to come back with. Both instances were pretty stellar examples of failure to maintain control of your assigned firearm, which is a pretty big pet peeve of mine.
Smuggling meds in (or out) for that matter, and selling them is not a lapse in judgement, it is a willful decision to commit illegal acts.
Smuggling in meds that a family member needs and you were able to obtain through shady means is still a willful decision, but one with mitigating circumstances, that *may* be able to pass off as a lapse in judgement (not really, I am just using that as a comparative for something more understandable).
The overall premise that someone smuggling in meds and selling them is a lapse in judgement for a LEO, is BS on the face of it. I am actually a bit flabbergasted that the spokesperson has presented it this way, it is perhaps one of the least compelling statements of defense I have ever seen.
Should result in a harsh outcome. Loss of job is not too severe in my opinion.
Dec 29, 2020, 7:13 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Baltimore, MD USA
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards. Tha... that's about it.
Posts: 4,332
I have no beef with a separate screening area, maybe even have them be allowed to operate similar to GE, where they get selected for reduced screening or the wave-through sometimes, but the others, hit an annex of to the side for crew/diplomats, etc.
Come on, have you never.... Ok, you got me, I have nothing to come back with. Both instances were pretty stellar examples of failure to maintain control of your assigned firearm, which is a pretty big pet peeve of mine.
Smuggling meds in (or out) for that matter, and selling them is not a lapse in judgement, it is a willful decision to commit illegal acts.
Smuggling in meds that a family member needs and you were able to obtain through shady means is still a willful decision, but one with mitigating circumstances, that *may* be able to pass off as a lapse in judgement (not really, I am just using that as a comparative for something more understandable).
The overall premise that someone smuggling in meds and selling them is a lapse in judgement for a LEO, is BS on the face of it. I am actually a bit flabbergasted that the spokesperson has presented it this way, it is perhaps one of the least compelling statements of defense I have ever seen.
Come on, have you never.... Ok, you got me, I have nothing to come back with. Both instances were pretty stellar examples of failure to maintain control of your assigned firearm, which is a pretty big pet peeve of mine.
Smuggling meds in (or out) for that matter, and selling them is not a lapse in judgement, it is a willful decision to commit illegal acts.
Smuggling in meds that a family member needs and you were able to obtain through shady means is still a willful decision, but one with mitigating circumstances, that *may* be able to pass off as a lapse in judgement (not really, I am just using that as a comparative for something more understandable).
The overall premise that someone smuggling in meds and selling them is a lapse in judgement for a LEO, is BS on the face of it. I am actually a bit flabbergasted that the spokesperson has presented it this way, it is perhaps one of the least compelling statements of defense I have ever seen.
Let me remind you once again - TSA is NOT a law enforcement agency. TSA is not tasked with - or permitted under law - to investigate ANY crimes, including smuggling, via administrative search. TSA exists to screen for threats to aviation, which smuggling is not. Smuggling is investigated by CBP, not TSA, so if CBP wants to screen FAMs or crew on international flights, that's up to them, NOT TSA.
Therefore, TSA setting up separate screening points for LEOs or crewmembers to interdict smuggling would be a) illegal, 2) wasteful, and d) stupid as all get out.
Loss of job? How about prosecution to exactly the same extent as any other smuggler. Sure, the employer should can them immediately for abusing their position, but they've committed felonies and should be prosecuted like anyone else who commits those felonies.
Dec 29, 2020, 8:52 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,110
Lordamighty... this is typical of the TSA attitude which results in egregious personal abuses and billions of dollars in mission creep, while causing a tremendous loss of mission focus that causes a 95% failure at their one true job.
Let me remind you once again - TSA is NOT a law enforcement agency. TSA is not tasked with - or permitted under law - to investigate ANY crimes, including smuggling, via administrative search. TSA exists to screen for threats to aviation, which smuggling is not. Smuggling is investigated by CBP, not TSA, so if CBP wants to screen FAMs or crew on international flights, that's up to them, NOT TSA.
Therefore, TSA setting up separate screening points for LEOs or crewmembers to interdict smuggling would be a) illegal, 2) wasteful, and d) stupid as all get out.
Loss of job? How about prosecution to exactly the same extent as any other smuggler. Sure, the employer should can them immediately for abusing their position, but they've committed felonies and should be prosecuted like anyone else who commits those felonies.
Let me remind you once again - TSA is NOT a law enforcement agency. TSA is not tasked with - or permitted under law - to investigate ANY crimes, including smuggling, via administrative search. TSA exists to screen for threats to aviation, which smuggling is not. Smuggling is investigated by CBP, not TSA, so if CBP wants to screen FAMs or crew on international flights, that's up to them, NOT TSA.
Therefore, TSA setting up separate screening points for LEOs or crewmembers to interdict smuggling would be a) illegal, 2) wasteful, and d) stupid as all get out.
Loss of job? How about prosecution to exactly the same extent as any other smuggler. Sure, the employer should can them immediately for abusing their position, but they've committed felonies and should be prosecuted like anyone else who commits those felonies.