Contract TSA Employees in San Francisco Charged in Smuggling Scheme

Authorities say two security screeners at San Francisco International Airport have been charged with allowing methamphetamine to be smuggled through carry-on luggage at an airport checkpoint in exchange for money.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports a federal complaint unsealed Friday names 30-year-old Claudio Rene Sunux of San Francisco and 27-year-old Amanda Lopez of South San Francisco, who were security screeners contracted with the Transportation Security Administration. It also names 28-year-old Anibal Giovanni Ramirez of San Francisco, an alleged drug smuggler.

Officials say Sunux, Lopez and Ramirez agreed to allow methamphetamine to be smuggled in carry-on luggage through the security checkpoint at SFO in exchange for money.

The three planned the operation in part through messages on Facebook.

All three have charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. They are in federal custody and are expected to appear in court next week.