TSA screeners charged in Los Angeles drug investigation

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two former and two current Transportation Security Administration employees have been charged with passing large quantities of cocaine and other drugs through X-ray machines at security checkpoints in exchange money, authorities announced Wednesday.

The indictment on drug conspiracy and bribery charges describes five incidents in which employees accepted payments of up to $2,400 to provide unfettered access to drug couriers at the Los Angeles International Airport over a six-month period last year.

“The allegations in this case describe a significant breakdown in the system of control through the behavior of individuals who placed greed ahead of the nation's security needs,” said U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte Jr.

Those arrested and charged include Naral Richardson, 30, of Los Angeles, who was fired by the TSA in 2010 and accused of orchestrating the scheme; John Whitfield, 23, of Los Angeles, currently a TSA screener; Joy White, 27, of Compton, who was laid off last year; and Capeline McKinney, 25, of Los Angeles, also currently an examiner.

It was not immediately clear whether any of the four had retained an attorney.

Randy Parsons, TSA director of security at LAX, said the agency was disappointed by the arrests but remained committed to holding its employees to the highest standards.

If convicted, the four employees face at least 10 years in federal prison.