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Airport security targets the inside threat

From Jeanne Meserve and Mike M. Ahlers
CNN

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TAMPA, Florida (CNN) -- The Transportation Security Administration carried out surprise inspections on workers at five airports in Florida and Puerto Rico on Monday, one week after a baggage handler in Orlando allegedly used his airport credentials to smuggle more than a dozen firearms into a commercial jetliner.

Some 160 TSA officers, backed by Federal Air Marshals and local police, searched airplanes for contraband, shined flashlights in airport vehicles and patted down contractor employees involved in airport security.

The five airports inspected were in Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The airport crackdown will continue through the week, spreading to other regions in the country as TSA increases random, unannounced searches targeting those who could misuse their access within the system.

"We realize the insider threat is a real threat, and we have to address it," said TSA spokesman Christopher White.

In Tampa's airport, the 28th busiest in North America, there are 8,000 full- and part-time employees. Some 6,300 of them have credentials allowing them access to various parts of the airport.

"I really believe that the vast majority are very good employees and very good people who have been through a background check who have the same concerns that we have in the Transportation Security Administration in regard to security," said TSA's Earl Morris.

Getting around security

Last week's incident in Orlando showed how those with access to the airport can circumvent an airport's security procedures.

Thomas Anthony Munoz, a Comair baggage handler, and a co-worker allegedly used their work uniforms and airport identification to get into restricted areas of the Orlando International Airport on March 5. The pair smuggled a duffel bag containing 14 firearms and eight pounds of marijuana onto a plane, authorities allege.

Munoz went through the normal TSA screening, used his airport ID to return to the secure area, retrieved the bag and carried it onto a Delta flight headed for San Juan, according to court documents.

A tipster told police about the smuggling episode, and Munoz was approached by TSA screeners when the plane landed, authorities said.

Munoz dropped the duffel bag on a table and said, "I'm busted," according to authorities.

Three others -- including another Comair employee -- have since been arrested. Both Munoz and the other Comair employee have been relieved of their jobs, a Comair spokeswoman said.

TSA officials said all employees who work in sensitive areas of airports are routinely fingerprinted and given background checks, but those checks don't assure employees will refrain from misconduct.

"I think you're going to find bad apples in any corporation or any form of government or anywhere in the world for that matter," Morris said.

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