TSA screeners plead guilty to taking bribes from drug smugglers
Several TSA screeners at Bay Area airports have pleaded guilty to taking bribes from drug smugglers.
Former San Francisco Airport TSA supervisor, Joseph Scott admitted to taking money and allowing 50 pounds of cocaine to pass through an x-ray screener.
He was paid by Bobby Napier, who was convicted last week and sentenced to four years in prison.
"Napier admitted he agreed to smuggle cocaine through security at SFO by paying Joseph Scott," the US attorney’s office said, and Napier also said the smuggling operation had been going on for ‘several years.’
A total of six SFO screeners face charges, CBS News SF Bay Area reported.
At nearby Oakland International Airport, TSA screener Kiana Clark was convicted of allowing suitcases of marijuana through security and soon starts a 21-month sentence.
Prosecutors said she knowingly let more than 200 pounds of weed to pass through undetected.
Former FBI agent Jeff Harp told the news station the hiring process and background checks made on TSA employees needs beefing up.
"I think we really need to take a close look at how we’re hiring TSA people, how they’re screened, what kind of background investigation is done, and all of this costs money. I don’t believe this is an isolated incident at SFO or Oakland."
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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