A couple of lawsuits indicate that the TSA is limited by law to detecting weapons and explosives and preventing acts of criminal violence or aircraft piracy. However, TSA staffers are being rewarded for finding drugs or evidence of other crimes. In June, a federal judge dismissed a case against a man arrested for possession of fake passports because the search exceeded the authority of TSA agents.
The Bierfeldt case is still pending - a traveller detained because he had $4,700 in cash in his possession and he refused to answer questions until the TSA agents explained his rights and their authority to require him to answer.
1 day ago