DEA surveils U.S. travelers, has seized $210 million from suspected drug cash couriers

DEA seizes suspected drug money at airports — (Image credit: iStock)

The Drug Enforcement Administration has used a broad network of travel-industry informants to monitor air and rail travelers in the U.S., pulling aside passengers they view as suspicious and, more often than not, seizing cash and letting the suspect go, USA Today reports, citing interviews with current and former DEA agents and court records. DEA teams used to focus on seizing drugs from mules at airports, but when post-9/11 security overhauls made airline drug trafficking too risky, agents started targeting cash. Since 2006, USA Today says, agents have seized at least $209 million from 5,200 people at the 15 busiest U.S. airports, with $52 million of that seized at Los Angeles International alone.

Most of the seized cash is reportedly turned over to local police departments. "They count on this as part of the budget," Louis Weiss, a former supervisor of the DEA group assigned to Atlanta's airport, tells USA Today. "Basically, you've got to feed the monster." The agents can't access the Homeland Security terrorism flight databases, and they cannot get travel information from the airlines. But based on the information they do get, they stop passengers flagged for paying cash, flying one-way, or listing fake phone numbers, among other criteria. Normally no warrants are involved, and the suspects can walk away after handing over their cash for a receipt. If the person doesn't challenge the asset forfeiture in court, there's often no record, USA Today says.

The DEA says it is trying to siphon money from drug trafficking rings. "We want the cash. Good agents chase cash," George Hood, a retired former DEA team supervisors at Chicago O'Hare, told USA Today. "It was just easier to get the asset, and that's where you make a dent in the criminal organization." Read more about the DEA's surveillance, and some stories of people who got some of their money back, at USA Today.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.