In a recent report, travelers at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport have accused plain-clothed drug task force officers of unfairly targeting them and seizing millions of dollars in cash without warrants. The task force, which includes agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Clayton County Police, conducts searches of travelers’ bags for drugs, but rarely finds any. Instead, they seize large amounts of cash without making any arrests.
Tabari Sturdivant, a film director, shared his experience with Atlanta News First, stating that an officer approached him for his ID without identifying himself. Sturdivant initially believed the officer to be a Delta agent due to his airport credentials. The officer proceeded to search his bag and questioned him about drugs and cash before eventually clearing him to board his flight.
Videos published by Atlanta News First show plain-clothed officers conducting drug searches in the Atlanta airport, including one where a traveler is being searched in front of a crowd at his gate. If task force agents find cash, travelers may be required to provide bank statements from their phones to prove that the money is not related to drug trafficking.
While travelers can file a claim to have their money returned, the process can be time-consuming and costly. Brian Moore, a musician, had $8,500 seized by the DEA at the Atlanta airport in March 2021. Despite never being charged with a crime, Moore had to engage in a yearlong legal battle to get his money back. However, the legal fees amounted to $15,000, nearly double the amount seized from him.
Other individuals, including Hollywood actor Jean Elie and comedians Eric André and Clayton English, have also shared their experiences of being searched by officers and have filed a lawsuit accusing the Clayton County officers of racial profiling.
News outlets reached out to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, DEA, Clayton County Police Department, and Brookhaven Police Department for comment but did not receive immediate responses.
The issue raises concerns about the targeting of innocent individuals and the seizure of their assets based on appearance or profiling, highlighting the need for greater transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices.
