In Plane Sight: The Fix | Behind the Investigation

Behind the Investigation with Atlanta News First

Drug agents are no longer allowed to seize cash from innocent passengers at US airports as a direct result of this two-year investigation by Atlanta News First Investigates.

The Department of Justice ordered the Drug Enforcement Administration to suspend its ‘cold consent encounters’ at departure gates nationwide because of a single video that would never have been recorded had a traveler not watched the 2023 ‘In Plane Sight’ investigation.

That innocent passenger followed the legal advice reported in our original series: asking if he was free to go, denying the DEA consent to search his bag, and recording the encounter. His video of the agent seizing his bag without a warrant led to a Senate inquiry, and the DOJ Inspector General launching a formal investigation.

The investigation revealed airline employees secretly received kickbacks from the DEA — percentages of any money seized from passengers who were never charged with crimes.

The US Deputy Attorney General responded by immediately issuing a directive to the DEA, shutting down the entire program.
Read the full series here: https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/page/in-plane-sight/