U.S. Department of Justice suspends controversial airport search program after ANF investigation

[@Nick210]

Civil asset forfeiture needs to be stopped

[@supermodelatlanta1354]

🎉

[@howlinwulf]

Institute for justice is working on that very thing. If you can afford to donate please do.

[@unbreakable7633]

Abolish qualified immunity too. And get us an entirely new judiciary because the judges we have think they're part of the prosecution.

[@jamesrecknor6752]

Armed robbery

[@madmaximilian5783]

​@@jamesrecknor6752that's exactly what it is and it should be called armed robbery.

[@leepierce8778]

That officer telling you that he doesn't care about your consent needs to be fired and arrested for theft

[@stuckgrenadepin.225]

No, that agent and any tsa agents in on the scheme or that assisted him, need to be charged with deprivation of rights under color of law as well as conspiracy to deprivation of rights under color of law.

[@R.J._Lewis]

The officer assumed the innocent passenger was using some sovereign citizen BS. As long as he didn't search the bag without consent or a warrant, he's still legally in the clear. Not in the right, mind you, just the clear.

[@stuckgrenadepin.225]

@ he is not a feelings enforcement officer, so what he assumed, what he felt, what he thought means nothing. He still has to respect the rights and operate within the confines that the law and the constitution lay out. Why do you defend bad officers?

[@leepierce8778]

@R.J._Lewis no the officer was wrong he said I Do not care about your rights or his consent was in violation of the constitution sorry if your officer loving feelings hurt but he broke the law

[@doogandoggin2571]

He needs to be charged with violating his civil rights.

[@joehntr3]

I was stopped by a Texas trooper and while getting out my drivers lic. I pulled out the cash in my pocket. Because I had $4k plus in my pocket I was arrested and booked into jail for public intoxication. That way they could hold me for 4-6 hours to check and see if my story on the money was true. After the bank opened and confirmed the money was actually mine they want me tp pay a $25 fine for the intoxication charge (something I was not guilty of) and I refused. Instead I paid a $250 cash bond from my property and told them I would see them in court (a case that I won). The officers could not understand why I was upset and why I would not pay the fine being that it was so small. I didn't pay it because I was innocent from the start and they knew it all along.

[@EDKKPR]

Hope you sued

[@nikitaw1982]

Of course Karen doesn’t want a light shined on her behaviour. This is why I support trans in womens sport while especially elite soccer while they all think as tough as men and women think they should go get a cop job. Worse is quotas in the fire department when the public obese. Karen women in the cops chase away the people who u actually want in the force who want to arrest criminals not just be coward bully drama queens

[@serious_as_a_heart_attack]

They should be sued for false arrest, false claims, and false reporting (when they write these falsehoods in their arrest reports). And of course all of these should immediately disqualify them from working in law enforcement in any capacity whatsoever.

[@Anipen1]

Good!

[@nikitaw1982]

@@joehntr3 sick of yt. Wrote a long comment and it’s not here. Karen’s literally everywhere now.

[@JamieWedge]

That informant should be required to pay back all the money they made.

[@estanford826]

@@JamieWedge and arrested

[@thomasjordan5578]

I thought that too.

[@alanurbina7057]

No, he is a civilian and the agents knew they still had no probable cause for the search, they are the ones breaking the law, not the informant.

[@leadfarmer5563]

@@alanurbina7057informant had the ability to not call and report people knowing they would be illegally searched and robbed.

[@alanurbina7057]

@@leadfarmer5563 he had no way of knowing it was illegal, the police asked for tips, what they do with that information is their fault and responsability.

[@margaretmary1139]

Notice it said the program was suspended not terminated. Suspended means if can start up at any time.

[@kristiblack4789]

The Devil is always in the details!

[@nikitaw1982]

Good. So can have a class action. Big fat payouts coming

[@MD76MAC]

Start up in 4 years after Trump is gone and the globalists win again.

[@derekjet7715]

Yes, they will push through some nonsensical legislation in the name of "safety" and they will be right back out there stealing people's money. The Constitution is violated so frequently it's comical for them at this point. The Fourth amendment alone is abused millions of times every second of every day. Through license plates, government cameras, entrapment stings, cell phone and internet monitoring, and on and on and on.

[@derekjet7715]

Yes, they will push through some nonsensical legislation in the name of "safety" and they will be right back out there stealing people's money. The Constitution is violated so frequently it's comical for them at this point.

[@nothingruler14All]

This is why we need journalism. Real journalism.

[@mikederasmo7621]

unfortunately, the whole CIA asset, aka journos, are too busy, having TRUMP DERRANGED Syndrome ,

[@SalSanchez-dy6cn]

Good luck in america 😂

[@aavvcc]

💯💯💯

[@uchwuzhere]

probably gonna see less of it after next year

[@rjlp128]

Maybe the “real journalists like Rachel Maddow, Joe Scarborough and the others of their ilk will get right on this…Yeah, right😅😅😅

[@gowithgid3274]

"unless they found cash..." Really...these agents should go to jail for theft. I can carry as much money as I want, as long as I declare anything more than $10,000 and can prove the source. The airline, whose employee was taking "bribes" to turn people in, should be sued!

[@Rolling2Much]

Good catch. Seems like for this to work they need a sniffer

[@josephs3973]

Not even that. The $10K rule is for international flights. You don't need to declare anything for domestic.

[@user-zu5do6ri6r]

@gowithgid3274 Why should you need to declare anything?

[@peaches1206]

​@@user-zu5do6ri6rpatriot act and the war on drugs!

[@Johnfisher12345]

@user-zu5do6ri6r You shouldn’t have to declare a damn thing

[@nancyneyedly4587]

Atlanta News First should get some kind of journalism award for this.⭐⭐⭐

[@esteemedenergy]

Finally, real journalism again.

[@claudiamiller7730]

No kidding….I miss it so!!💕

[@Frank71]

Until they turn their journalism to a topic you don't like.

[@ssjwes572]

@@Frank71 I don't care who does it the government needs more watching...

[@DReardon-hq2vb]

We’re going to need a lot more of it soon and it will be much more dangerous.

[@SBdunk1987]

Real journalism hasn’t gone anywhere. A lot of you were just trained to not believe news that did not fit the narrative of your political party. That suit, and that is all. Fake news is just the news that you don’t like.

[@loboxx337]

This is the country that so vehemently criticizes third world countries for doing the very thing it does to its citizens.

[@unbreakable7633]

The police state in the US has been around for decades. Read John Whitehead's books.

[@Falcon2609]

Facts

[@Oletechiegirl]

Who comes up with these programs? Suspends? They need to give back triple the money they seized

[@327JohnnySS]

Our Felon Forfathers in the eyes of the British knew that thee greatest threat to America would come from within.

[@patjohnson5586]

@@ronaldrey8474 Like Trump's 237 pardons

[@datasender]

This isn't just happening at airports.. Police departments across the country do the same thing.

[@M_SC]

Yeah but it’s much worse when not at an airport. Airport has the right to search you, you give consent when you enter

[@testingtesting4534]

@@M_SCBut not Illegals!

[@Dapper_Dean]

@@M_SC didn't you just watch the video? They don't have the right to search you, unless they have reasonable evidence of wrongdoing by the passenger(s).

[@HeziBezi1]

@@Dapper_Deantalk about a lack of comprehension. Watched the whole video, heard from the horses mouth and still a dumbass.

[@jacoby4838]

@@Dapper_Deanbro the TSA searches your bags in the security check. Yes they do have the right to search and scan your bags, you can say no but you ain’t flying then.

[@CaosBoyCathian]

“You just admitted to theft of private property over 1000$. That’s a felony. You’re under arrest. Hands behind your head on the ground.”

[@PlaidHiker]

Rules for thee, not me! Gov's in general. These are criminal organisation in power with no care towards effective leadership. The actions of governments makes sense through the frame of crime syndicates utalazing ng Machiavellian power plays against their opponents whom both fight the common enemy of their constituents. They hate each other, but they fear us. All it takes is for one ant to step out of line. The rest will follow. Our leaders are taking us off a cliff. Something needs to be done

[@marysmaith]

This is why journalism is so important. Excellent job.

[@openmind3699]

Not just any journalism real journalism !

[@juliatripp2010]

And why themselves tried to stop journalists

[@Liliarthan]

And why Trump threatening to prosecute and jail journalists, even execute political opponents, is a huge alarm that majority of American voters ignored.

[@acmelka]

But maga wants total police immunity....

[@TheBooban]

Yeah, but its still going on on highways. Remember, they could do this anywhere, and not just cash, anything, your house too.

[@colorbugoriginals4457]

Suspended NATIONWIDE because of your investigation, mad props!! 👏👏👏 edit: the PROGRAM, the public are no longer being subjected to it rn bc of them. not talking about a specific person. did y'all watch the video?

[@samsngdevice5103]

Dummy, the story is a red herring. They never left, They just tricked you into thinking that they left. Duh.

[@Okey-dokeyoo7-w7h]

@@samsngdevice5103 Adjust your tin hat buddy, You’re coming in weak.

[@diggles27]

It was long overdue, However there is still no accountability for all the people they f***** over and money they stole

[@fattscott1181]

Hahaha, that's a cop. Great Story!😂

[@CharcuterieFood]

@@samsngdevice5103Unless you have proof, you’re full of it kid.

[@lonpearson2134]

They should be charged for violating the civil rights of the passengers

[@slowbrezze]

no criminal an civil

[@sabine3769]

Exactly

[@frugalaudio]

18 USC 242

[@nikitaw1982]

Class action.

[@JohnJohnson-fr5cx]

They won’t be cops are rarely held accountable

[@imisseveryone2716]

Thank you Atlanta News and Senator Osloff. Much respect.

[@JRandaII]

*Ossoff

[@LuvMyCardiKids]

People buy last minute tickets for a lot of reasons. Going to a funeral is a major reason people buy last minute tickets. What an awful thing to do to someone in that situation.

[@stevenheckman-oz3mp]

That was my first thought.

[@bilson7523]

Or work, probably three times in my career I've had to buy a plane ticket for the next 1-2 days because something urgent came up at another office.

[@user-ii3vn8tn3q]

It's cheaper last minute. Hotels are SO much cheaper last minute.

[@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935]

Their accomplice/informant can choose _what sort of chap_ to ear mark.

[@ronbyrd1616]

And it has been going on for well over a decade...the "we didn't know" comments by dea and our elected reps just doesn't wash . Victims of this charade need to be made whole with interest and punitive damages...it's been totally outrageous, and they know it .

[@TheDexterFishbourne]

The whole federal and state forfeiture laws need to be changed.

[@kelleylynch4490]

Absolutely. People belong in prison over this.

[@Fishy-i2g]

It will change when enough citizens such as yourself, care enough to do something about it more than just complaining on the internet.

[@CandleWisp]

​@@Fishy-i2gdon't be an ass

[@Deathdealer4L]

Absolutely.......they steal a lot of people's money

[@charlesmason4493]

​@@Fishy-i2g like you? 😂 I already got a job helping the needy broke b!tch mind ya self first 👀

[@wyaldkingdom]

“I didn’t detain you, I detained your bag.” 😂 No you stole my bag and committed a crime and now I’m here trying to get my bag back.

[@j._.taylor]

"Detained your bag" is the premise underlying civil asset forfeiture: an inanimate object, rather than a human, can be accused of a crime. The "accused" is then "arrested"/"detained"/confiscated, i.e. stolen.

[@Andy-te1mw]

But we have the most freedom in the world. 😮

[@mariegarside8830]

Detain the bag without a warrant ?

[@Andy-te1mw]

@mariegarside8830 yes. That is how the system works. Law enforcement officials are essentially above the law and don't need to follow the law or the Constitution.

[@mariegarside8830]

​@@Andy-te1mw They weren't keeping any records so it looks like they did this in secret.

[@affabaffa4393]

I didn’t know real journalism still existed

[@jeffreyc6508]

This is the Government our forefathers warned us about!!

[@majorlazor5058]

Eh.. doubtful most of our forefathers would bother with illegal searches of black citizens. Maybe Franklin and Adams would bother to care, but the rest not so much.

[@duncanluciak5516]

Please. They had no idea. They just wanted to keep their free labour for themselves.

[@cydrych]

@@duncanluciak5516they knew, it’s why the warned against a standing army. Which is exactly what the police and federal agencies have become.

[@sethlogee9316]

drugs weren't illegal 1776 Jefferson took opium and all where property and labor thieves

[@381delirius]

but they keep trying to get more police funding.

[@bswogger4656]

Abuse of power is everywhere causing degrading of life, physically, financially & spiritually.

[@denningmp37]

You lost me at spirituality

[@bswogger4656]

@ Sorry your lost.

[@MetaView7]

this is worse than the soviet union KGB ?1?1?1?

[@howlinwulf]

​@@denningmp37poor little sheep

[@Juandinggong]

That is how country turns into a third world shithole

[@bayodaman]

"your trying this legal stuff, it's not going to work dude." Well buddy in fact it did work 🤣🤣

[@zerocal76]

Man what I'd give to see that "agents" face when he saw this news clip 🤔

[@LongJohnson-r6m]

@@zerocal76does anybody know his name?

[@The_Infamous_Bonker]

​@@LongJohnson-r6m Agency? They said it so many times. He's DEA.

[@LongJohnson-r6m]

@@The_Infamous_Bonker I said name dumbass

[@MotorsportCreative]

I hope he looks back at the video every time he refreshes his feed on LinkedIn 😂

[@ktburger659]

Wow thanks for reporting on this!!!

[@BrownTrout1238]

“We wouldn’t be doing this if it was illegal” Let’s COUNT the number of times that statement went awry for the government….

[@nothanks9503]

Bang bang bang I wouldn’t be doing this if it was illegal

[@pastorofmuppets8834]

Yes, look at international law. The entire government is doing, has done, and will continue to do whatever it wants

[@TheAnnoyingBoss]

"Just doing my job"

[@keysautorepair6038]

Qualified immunity is defined not the reason 😅.

[@ajcook7777]

Isn't this "Inspector General" still wrong? He said to remove their bag from them, they needed "Reasonable Suspicion". Don't they need more than "Reasonable Suspicion", don't they need "Probable Cause"? If me, as a Canadian, is right, what does that say about the American Justice System? The Inspector General is proven wrong, by a noncitizen, that has no qualifications or credentials in law enforcement?

[@vlmhma.7414]

The Ticketing Agent who was setting up passengers for these illegal searches needs to be fired, outed, and should face TRIAL for what he did! This is FRAUD on a very high level!

[@95percentair]

Right???? I hope there's follow-up, and concentration on that, but at least it's huge what Atlanta News First got accomplished. The DOJ guy gave me zero confidence. From now on I'm investigating myself and finding no wrong-doing.

[@Teresa-L.2024]

More likely a TSA agent. They see something as you go through security (cash, camera, jewelry etc) then give a crooked DEA agent a call. Forced search is done and your valuables are stolen. No paperwork, no record, your word against a supposedly trusted government agent. Good one for this news agency for exposing this racket. Just one reason journalists are not the enemy of the people.

[@jonjap8363]

And expose who he/she is

[@elijahwilson1422]

They NEED to go to prison and so do those crooks in the DEA

[@TommiChong]

Will the ticketing agents white and they were reporting minorities so you know....DEA and FED approved.

[@woodersonandmelbatoast6043]

Edit: for the people who don’t read or research for themselves. It was a down payment on a house because the banks were giving him a hard time about transfers and such. Friendly reminder that a few years ago Stephen Lara, a marine corps combat vet, had almost $100k stolen from him from the Nevada Highway Patrol and they “gave it to the DEA”. No criminal charges were filed against Mr. Lara. It was his life savings. The only reason he even got his money back was because he filed a lawsuit…but wait…the lawsuit didn’t move anywhere until his video and story started circulating around the internet for millions to see. Then and only then did they take action and return his money. No one was EVER held accountable for it. Not the state not the feds not even the cop that did the bogus illegal traffic stop. This is not uncommon. It must end.

[@zorinlynx]

All my life I've been told carrying large amounts of cash is dangerous because it might be stolen. All along it's been the cops that were most likely to end up stealing it!

[@brontesegard8305]

I remember that! I think he was going to buy a house or business.

[@woodersonandmelbatoast6043]

@ yes, he was going to put a down payment on a house in California while also visiting his daughters. That’s a crime in the eyes of crooked governments and their crooked agencies. The state has even tried getting his case thrown out. Luckily, this year that motion was denied and will move forward.

[@jaydena.armstrong2951]

​@@brontesegard8305it was to get stuff for his kids. He said he doesnt trust the banks and keeps his money with him at all times. The police did him dirty. Am glad that he got it back in the end. Sad story

[@ShaneOsborne]

You cops are Worthless

[@juwe9516]

Briliant tranparency that get positive response. Well done.

[@fecklesstech929]

What does it mean when the DEA is just as ruthless and unprincipled as the Cartels?

[@irishamerican4558]

It means we are in BIG t r o u b l e. I do mean B I G. My only question is can you name a/an government AGENCY that is NOT?

[@christian7200]

@@irishamerican4558maybe DOGE? 😩🤣

[@chriscasteel5777]

Corporate cartels more like it

[@chriscasteel5777]

Fast and furious. Our government gave the cartel guns

[@WorldsOkayestBusDriver]

#Dictator president

[@carscoffee5263]

Some state troopers are seizing money also with no proof of criminal activity on highway traffic stops.

[@ian.swift.31614]

state troopers are our friends. they keep us safe i love state troopers. and state troopers love me. thank you state troopers. please may i have another boot.

[@derekjet7715]

This has been going on for decades, this isn't anything new. Unfortunately, the masses never pay attention and catch up way too late. Furthermore, for every one of you that finally catches on, there are dozens that don't. So it's still a very small percentage that eventually becomes aware. I won't even get into all of the other areas of naivety. This country is done.

[@alexmiller6848]

Lol had an ATF fudd tell me the same thing after he stole my gun I had purchased from my FFL before I even picked it up. I asked him for documentation of the property he stole from me. "The firearm transfer was not completed to you. The Pawn shop technically possessed the firearm." These government agency are ROBBING american citizens in broad day and no one is doing anything about it

[@lmcc0072]

Years ago a friend and I were stopped in Tennessee (we’re from California). We were on a road trip as my friend was looking to buy a high dollar car in Kentucky. We didn’t tell him that we were buying a car or that we had a large amount of cash on us. He held us on the side of the freeway for probably 30 minutes, he searched us and the car but he didn’t find anything. He finally let us go.

[@ian.swift.31614]

@@lmcc0072 how many years ago is extremely important.

[@stevenm7232]

The other problem is the TSA is telling these guys someone has cash in their bag and that’s not TSAs job.

[@Anarcho-harambeism]

The TSA soesnt do there job anyway. Useless billions that have never stopped anything

[@michaeladams2959]

Heaven forbid you’re on your way to Vegas to play the casino’s with some hard earned cash.

[@HelynHughes]

and get a cut of that cash.

[@Dapper_Dean]

unless it's an unusual huge amount(over 10K), and it wasn't declared. Then they have the right.

[@noble_norse7786]

​@@Dapper_Dean it's no one's business how much money you carry.

[@justmebecky5937]

Just wanted to comment that as an Atlantan, you are the only news channel with integrity to tell the whole story. Thank you. I started watching during election. Big fan.

[@Truechildofgod]

An officer saying “I don’t care about your legal stuff” had me rolling 😂 dude your only job is to CARE ABOUT “legal stuff” lol

[@freedmanholocaustvictim7467]

They were raised by single momma meth heads, allegedly 🫵🏾.

[@sheilaross1449]

Yup. Best and brightest all around!

[@BenGates101]

Arrest that turd

[@ilikemitchhedberg]

In my humble opinion... their job is, indeed, to not care about your rights. Your rights are YOURS. You have to assert them. You have to evoke your right to be silent and unequivocally demand a lawyer. And then to actually not talk. Civil asset forfeiture is wild 😭

[@noosphericaltarzan]

That statement cost him qualified immunity

[@Put-that-down]

This is the kind of reporting that makes a difference. Thank you.

[@jesspeinado480]

Notice how these violations happen in safe locations involving innocent civilians. Why aren't these "law officers" in dangerous neighborhoods enforcing laws, and protecting and serving citizens? Because they're bullies and cowards. They care nothing about serving and protecting.

[@markmalasics3413]

Are you really that much of a mental midget? Just because these officers are where they are doesn't mean there aren't other officers doing exactly what your pea-brained self demands. Another loser that thinks only one issue can be done at a time. SMFH at the stupidity.

[@timchamberlin9280]

They are cowards. Remember the school shooting in Texas?

[@user-uj3kw5wt3i]

Easy money- government theft

[@walkerenterprise1764]

Nail, it happened in black mecca. ATLANTA had some of the richest black people in America. It AMAZED me that blacks complained from the immediate get go, but as soon as the white man does it. HERE WE ARE.

[@xChimkin]

usually it's about collecting fines. i had a buddy get fined over 100 dollars for going 10 over. he was picked solely because of his car

[@GoatFarmer706]

I voted for Ossoff and after this I'll vote for him again

[@JasonAl]

Same here

[@Dr_Larken]

4:14 they’re not being paid with confiscated money, they were getting a percentage of stolen money!

[@xandervk2371]

And where does the rest of their pay come from?

[@robertreed7963]

Did they claim the income on their taxes ? Seize everything they own.

[@plwadodveeefdv]

​@@xandervk2371presumably the airline that employs them

[@msvmac9361]

🎯🎯 Exactly. "Confiscated" has that tinge of legality to it. Nah, it's stolen; call it what it is.

[@kellimoore141]

Yeah. It’s a RICO lawsuit waiting to happen!

[@kis4beauty]

ATLANTA NEWS FIRST WE SALUTE YOU!!! THIS STATION DESERVES MULTIPLE AWARDS FOR YOUR CONSUMER FOCUSED REPORTING. THIS IS THE ONLY MAINSTREAM NEWS STATION THAT I WATCH!

[@terrelle5087]

Facts

[@markmalasics3413]

Idiot. It's not a "station." It's some guy's KZbin channel, and he apparently has a Cop-Hater mentality.

[@wilfridcyr]

👍👍

[@Lazy_Fish_Keeper]

Atlanta, GA and another station out of AZ are doing news like it was before the Fairness Doctrine was overturned and we got "news entertainment"

[@larryrunnels1190]

Since this is on Atlanta can we assume it's Delra Airlines involved?

[@MC-ct3pe]

The employee, "INFORMANT", should be fired and sued!

[@gregoryproft7073]

And named so that they can be sued in civil court.

[@MC-ct3pe]

@gregoryproft7073 absolutely!

[@LucyMorningstar999]

I understand that a lot of officers feel like they need to do their jobs, and many work very hard, but what I don't understand is why a lot of them are such arrogant jerks. Instead of explaining something to a civilian they speak to you in the most disrespectful and condescending tone possible. So sad.

[@dead2802]

1. you dont steal money frm Anyone. 2. TSA detectors, etc. do that. No reason except theft to have the thieves doing this. And they ARE thieves!

[@MyLifeThai371]

Thank you for exposing this stealing of innocent people's hard earned money!

[@georgecarlin2656]

Yep, the land of the free home of the brave needs a special investigation and some reporter with balls to stop it, cause the freedom loving patriots walking around with American flags and badges prefer not to do anything, cause they're too busy being proud of their country.

[@alexmiller6848]

Now we need to get this fired up about the ATF stealing from US citizens!

[@kel7483]

Thank you Atlanta News First for pursuing true journalism and holding the government accountable.

[@colepuleo6809]

Well said!!!

[@Hamsterbytes]

IJ has been pursuing this problem far longer than Alanta news

[@madmaximilian5783]

​@@Hamsterbytesthe bottom line is they are not plain clothes officers they are criminals hiding behind qualified immunity and a badge!

[@kel7483]

@ Who is IJ? I am not familiar with those initials or this case. I was just happy it was pursued and this practice shut down.

[@madmaximilian5783]

@kel7483 I.J. is the Institute For Justice they take a lot of civil rights cases for people that get in these kinda situations and need good legal representation.

[@all4kicks]

👏🏾This is the Awesome Investigative Journalism we Need. Thank U.

[@wellmounted]

Thanks folks for helping the public.

[@markporter2642]

This is what real journalism looks like. Thank you Atlanta News First!

[@PandaBeafr]

They "suspended", not stop or eliminate the program!!!

[@eleghari]

Yeah...until the heat cools and the suspension will be lifted 🤭

[@lindsayo9702]

They’re waiting until 2025 when they’ll hopefully receive full immunity to fight crime unburdened by civil rights issues.

[@smitdiot1410]

@@elegharimaybe before that since Trump is on his way back in.

[@johnsmith6266]

@@smitdiot1410POV he lives rent free in your head #deportcriminals

[@smitdiot1410]

@ Settle down. I never said it was a bad thing when appropriately applied. What’s being done here is a problem. No evidence, no arrest but money still seized and the snitches get a cut of the prize money? This happens to white guys too. My co-worker/shipmate buys and sells mustangs in his retirement. He was stopped in Arkansas on a roadtrip to pick up a car and got stopped searched and had like 25k seized and had to hire a lawyer to get it back taking a loss. I stand by what I said though. Trump has not been shy about his intent to give law enforcement support at the federal level giving them the tools to do their job so it’s probably a safe bet to say that whoever ends up at the helm of the DOJ will fully reinstate this program. I just hope they monitor it a little better because there is lots of potential for abuse. Nobody should be rousted and robbed over manufactured suspicion.

[@ernguyen7669]

The DEA agent with the beads is harassing and stealing moneys from the passengers instead of catching drug dealers. He should be ashamed of himself.

[@queenbee3647]

But hes not. How much of that stolen money went into his pocket?

[@GypsyLeeRose-k8h]

He was making money so he doesn't care

[@JR-wf5kg]

They are the drug dealers. They work with the cartels. We have known this for decades.

[@johnnysunday402]

Cockroaches have no shame.

[@946towguy2]

@@queenbee3647 We will never know, because he wasn't filing reports and because he was paying kickbacks to informants.

[@joe1940]

It's time to get rid of Qualified Immunity in the US. If an officer violates your rights or breaks the law you should be able to sue them into homelessness if that's what's required.

[@stevenread5473]

A paid informant for the airlines got a piece of the action !!!!! Unbelievable.

[@Liliarthan]

And are therefore incentivised to make as many potentially false reports as possible, esp targeting vulnerable people who may be less informed about their legal rights, may be more likely to carry cash due to their employment (cash in hand jobs, tips from service jobs), less able to fight against injustice when it occurs, language barrier etc. Coz the more baseless reports they make (baseless meaning there aren’t actual evidence of illegal activities), the more likely they will receive a payout. That’s such a corrupt system and should be made illegal.

[@gabiausten8774]

“You’re trying this legal stuff, and it’s not gonna work.” The scariest words an official can utter…

[@Oceansta]

The guy just outed the entire police system.

[@Checkpoint_King]

At that point the only question to ask them is “so are you attempting to deprive me of my rights under color of law?”

[@Andy-te1mw]

Why is it so easy to violate people's rights, yet so hard to get justice from those who violate those rights?

[@bemiatto67]

Money

[@brucegordon9007]

Look at the continuing oppression of Black people by our "Justice System", here in Alaska there is a trial going on where two AST caused $440,000 physical injuries to an innocent man and are charged with misdemeanor offense.

[@thehousecat93]

Because you’re relying on the same people violating your rights to dispense Justice. You’re forgetting about the other methods of getting justice.

[@Andy-te1mw]

@thehousecat93 we need to stop having law enforcement officials swear an oath to the Constitution. They aren't following it

[@ambiebby1636]

Bureaucracy

[@rubyclark7595]

Call this what it is!!! THUGS with badges and those behind the desk... THUGS in Suits cheap suits!!! Yes this old Senior said this.

[@michaelwillis1155]

I want the name of the confidential informant, he/she doesn't have qualified immunity. They and their employer need to be sued into oblivion. And hats off to the passenger for filming the whole interaction.

[@marketmom5283]

I agree

[@sdowdy9965]

That part!!!!

[@Harlem1mentality]

Let’s submit a foia request for TSA

[@ianchandley]

Take the CI out back and give her/him a good, old-fashioned whup ass!

[@muathmahmoud509]

Agree!!

[@TruthSeeker-z1t]

Wow. I literally can't find the words. Saying "great job" falls incredibly short of the praise you deserve for this. Top notch investigative journalism like this is not just an important but an essential part of a functional democracy.

[@NovaPrincess]

Do you know that Trump wants to destroy investigative journalists like this?

[@dennisward4855]

WE ARE A REPUBLIC...

[@Peter-zy5ox]

This is real mafia with a badge. All those agents involved should be investigated and jailed.

[@natrg7205]

Thank y’all for y’all’s investigation and for that young man sharing his story 🙏

[@johnwillison6483]

unfortunately ATF and FBI and TSA are also involved in this scheme!!

[@rhambn2990]

Agree

[@L337f33t]

They get a kickback.

[@LBHSEccentricArt]

Look into who owns the TSA and owns the machines ..humm he used to be in DC

[@johnwillison6483]

Here's the scary thing!! A year ago the TSA hired me to go work for them at a local airport, but after finding out all the things they do to innocent passengers I immediately declined the job and told them why they ended up blackballing me because I refused to victimize or steal from passengers knowing how hard people worked for their money so they can have money to buy things on their trips!!

[@slowbrezze]

yeah we know they keep food lotions perfume and stuff lol like they throwing it away cleanest garbage can there and alot of rmes they don't toos they place it gently in garbage

[@henryjackman3160]

The Institute for Justice has been fighting civil forfeiture for years.

[@t-dog8528]

Yep, that's where I watched that mans video first

[@brucejamesj]

And yet, there will be ZERO accountability for those who authorized and committed these crimes. Yes, crimes. The constitutional rights of citizens were violated and knowingly violated. And they don't even get a slap on the wrist! At a minimum, the 4th Amendment was knowingly violated due to the unreasonable searches and seizures. No warrants were issued. The agents acted on a tip from a paid airline agent (who should be fired at a minimum). A tip alone doesn't provide enough probable cause to pass the warrant requirements. And the 9th Amendment, where agents denied citizens their right to freely move domestically without government interference; that agent stole his bag with his belongings, forcing the passenger to miss their flight and travel freely. And once again, carrying cash is NOT illegal! Stealing cash is illegal, yet these agents are probably off stealing cash from other citizens, probably train or bus stations now. It's high time Congress put a stop to the financial incentives. Agencies shouldn't be allowed to keep ANY seized assets, not just the cash but anything, no matter the value.

[@jeepykay]

Qualified Immunity?

[@blehbleh9283]

Thank you from the other side of the country for your investigation and the action it prompted. This is the definition of unreasonable search and seizure

[@WanderingPassports]

Imagine how many citizens were forced to comply under duress of arrest and no fly list with unlawful commands infringing on their constitutional rights.

[@munkyboyh8su]

Disband the DEA.

[@lollabells6121]

100% agree!

[@accuratealloys]

And the ATF.

[@IHADANERROR]

All the 3 letter agencies that fall under the DOJ umbrella.

[@danielp415]

I bought a last minute ticket from brazil to the U.S. once. When I got to Atlanta, I was called out and explicitly told by the guard that it was random. He searched my bag, tested my Portuguese, we joked, he got comfortable to admit nothing about this was random & that it never is.

[@mikem201]

I haven't been on a plane since before 9/11, this is 1 of the reasons why.

[@mathewbegnoche2095]

This needs to be spread nation wide. Guarantee many more people would come forward with similar stories.

[@edwardjohnson3994]

We get all understand this is an immoral illegal, and unconstitutional practice, so who's going to prison for this? I personally think we should get some names.

[@brianwood2450]

We NEED more of this! Great work!!

[@BadMonkeyTouring]

1) The airline informants should be fired, 2) The DEA agents should be fired, 3) The airline should be held responsible, 4) All the funds seized using these tactics must be returned with interest.

[@vlmhma.7414]

You nailed it!

[@jodyjustice7571]

Thank you to all who have exposed this.

[@barelyevencuda4454]

Some actual journalism happening in 2024. It’s crazy

[@alabamatechwriter6959]

INFORMANT: What about the "paid" informant? Who was that? Who were they employed by?

[@elelectrotech9374]

the agency,them

[@Towelie4200]

We need a foia request and expose that wesel

[@jamierupert7563]

They're talking about the CI, NOT the DEA. ​@@elelectrotech9374

[@bblauter]

They got to keep a cut of the theft , civil forfeiture, cops just keep any money you had on you. No crime, just keep, and in this ANF example no paperwork.

[@braudhadoch3432]

Amen. In an era where Journalism is suspect. You really showed us that we need reporters out in the world.

[@datrill1000]

Crooked cops are the best and worst liars at the same time!!!

[@WarpedTrekker]

00:49 that white and black dudes should all be fired and sued along with their employer for scamming people out of their money. Everyone should be repaid. I suggest getting some class action suit going and this should be banned on ALL airports!

[@jefferyholland]

In the old days they called it extortion. Now it is called civil asset forfeiture.

[@raypitts4880]

change the words carry on

[@Adr_Jim]

Thank you so much for exposing this! It is unbelievable stuff so low like this keeps happening.

[@luisperez214]

“ you are trying this legal stuff , it’s not going to work dude” - proceeded to work 😂

[@herbgriffitt7335]

No make them pay back all the money they stole from innocent people. Bunch of frickin thieves and they wonder why people hate them. Clear abuse of power and should be in jail.

[@946towguy2]

Make them pay pack triple plus interest, all the stolen money, plus compensate every person unlawfully detained.

[@mamameany7948]

Good on you Atlanta News First! You actually have done something really good for the people, thank you for that.

[@jennifer20136]

Amazing! Finally! Now, I want punishment for all the corrupt people involved...

[@gregoryjefferson6311]

This should've been terminated months ago . Sherrif Deputies from neighboring Counties impersonating Federal Agents & intimidating Civilians . The County , & Sherrif Department needs to reimburse these Civilians with Punitive & Compensatory damages .

[@Johnfisher12345]

It should never have started in the first place!

[@bioodfox7805]

This only happened because of reporting like this. Please don't let up that pressure. This has been long overdue; nobody should be robbed.

[@JK_Chapman]

the blue wall of silence, corruption, and incompetence on full public display

[@1truek269]

And Trump wants to give them more immunity and more power...

[@allenforbus9020]

Imagine if every democrat politician was investigated what the outcome would be? They all push the parties narratives & most likely live by it no doubt!

[@AnthonyClark177]

Thank you very much for doing this. Keep up the good work.

[@billpeirce7]

Now help stop the seizures of cash from people driving.

[@stonegaspard]

Thankyou for your stellar journalism Atlanta First! Keep fighting for us, please.

[@DieselDucy]

Thank you so much for standing up for our rights. Amazing journalism.

[@peaceandwealthseeker4504]

They tried this to me coming back from Jamaica to Miami.

[@tl1533]

Embarrassing! Shame on these out of control agents. Sue the airline whose employee is the informant.

[@stevenchen-qx8ks]

I am Asian and I once was traveling cross Country with 2 other associates, who are also Asian. On every leg of the trip, all 3 of us were flagged for "random" search at the gate. Random my a$$, it was pure utter discrimination.

[@jojohns1949]

Remember our rights by our founding fathers The 4th The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things

[@Andorrus]

This saddens me. My oldest brother and I are mid color, but our mom is white. When I was a baby (around 9/11) they conducted searches of my brother and my diaper to check for bombs or paraphenelia. Now that I'm older, I've gone on a trip with her to Thailand, and a few trips with my white wife and her white family. Never have we been searched or stopped. I know racial profiling is still present and it infuriates me that others are subjected to prejudice like this, ultimately losing time and possibly money.

[@randallsmerna384]

Why aren't these tyrants being arrested??😡😡

[@Cooper906outdoor]

"It's a big club, and you aint in it" -George Carlin

[@Fishy-i2g]

Because the citizens are cowards that refuse to uphold their Constitutional Obligations to rout out criminality and corruption in Government.

[@Dapper_Dean]

because the right wingers keeps backing the blue, until it's them being harassed.

[@stevenkirkpatrick7258]

Because they are NEVER HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR LAW BREAKING , even the very few times they are they aren’t punished by the same standards as if it were you or I who done it. They wonder why people don’t respect the police anymore…. SMH

[@tmp1957]

The DEA needs to be disbanded.

[@Just-yl5fo]

Hold the bum officers accountable for being racist civil rights violators

[@RikodiusRex]

Finally. So much 4th amendment violations I so can't even.

[@davidsharp3522]

Another example of why blindly “backing the blue” is insanity.

[@uncletrick1]

Your comment is another example why blindly being anti-cop is insanity. There's a difference between federal agents and the beat cops patrolling your neighborhood, you simpleton. Not everything is black and white.

[@Dapper_Dean]

the left and centrists has been saying that for years. But the right wingers love it when the left are abused. But when it's one of them, they cry foul.

[@davidcrow3333]

Yet another sign change is needed.

[@evielknievel4972]

ANF is the greatest growing news source. I wish you guys much success!

[@Joez86]

That officer in the video needs to be charged with theft!

[@neuroticnation144]

It’s unreasonable search and seizure.

[@Dukevares1]

Wow. Great reporting. Great action taken by representatives. Great job all the way around.

[@josephyeo6966]

The disturbing point here is that the officers are in plain clothes and it sends a message to scammers that they can do the same. You can be in plain clothes, but to apprehend and do a search, it is best to have an armed uniformed staff present. You demand identification from citizens, by the same token, you need to provide citizens with a proper visual way of identifying your authority to do your work. Try stopping someone for a traffic violation or raid a house when you are in plain clothes with an unmarked vehicle, and a name tag, bad things will happen.

[@northofeden1802]

Then they can’t act like thieves in the night whilst escaping the gaze of suspecting travelers.