FederalDaily - March 2, 2007

GAO: TSA Should Recheck Staffing Model

The staffing model used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to hire and deploy its federal passenger and baggage screeners needs an oversight mechanism to make sure it is reflecting the actual needs and operating conditions in the nation’s airports, a government report said. The Government Accountability Office, in a report dated Feb. 28, looked at how TSA ensures its model provides a sufficient number of Transportation Security Officers (TSO)—also called screeners—and how TSA deploys them. As part of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, TSA developed a staffing model for the nation’s 400 airports. Although the model is an improvement over the previous allocation method, it doesn’t include a plan to periodically check all the elements that drive staffing levels, such as assumptions regarding processing of passengers and baggage through security checkpoints and information about each airport’s baseline configuration. “Without a plan for periodically validating all of the assumptions,” the report said, “TSA is at risk of assumptions becoming outdated, which could result in TSO allocations that do not reflect operating conditions.” Also, TSA has not determined under what circumstances it is appropriate to use TSOs to perform operational support functions, the report said. To see more, go to: www.gao.gov/highlights/d07299high.pdf

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FDA Moves Ahead to Close Labs

Despite congressional criticism, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving forward with its plan to close seven of its 13 regional laboratories, forcing out some employees. The FDA has for months been considering the consolidation effort that it defended as a way to improve efficiency. The plan in January drew the ire of a group of key senators, led by Sens. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who questioned both the wisdom and effectiveness of the move. In a letter to Kennedy from agency head Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, the FDA identified the labs to be closed. They are located in Denver, Detroit, Kansas City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Juan, P.R., and Winchester, Mass., said the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), which has opposed the closures. “This foolish decision not only poses a serious risk to the nation," said NTEU President Colleen Kelley on Feb. 27, “it is a direct slap in the face at members of both the House and Senate who requested a delay in any such decision.” To see more, go to: www.nteu.org.

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Federal Agents Seize Drugs, Arrest Hundreds

Federal law enforcement agents have seized millions of dollars in illegal drugs and arrested hundreds of suspected drug dealers in a pair of separate drug interdiction efforts. In the first, a long-term investigation into a Mexican drug trafficking organization and its U.S.-based distribution cells has resulted in the arrest of more than 400 individuals nationwide, including more than 60 individuals on Feb. 28 in California, Arizona and Illinois. The multi-agency law enforcement effort, called “Operation Imperial Emperor,” targeted the Mexico-based Victor Emilio Cazares-Gastellum, a.k.a. “Victor Emilio Cazares-Salazar,” drug trafficking organization, said Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. The Mexican dealers were believed responsible for supplying multi-ton quantities of cocaine, as well as large amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana. Federal agents netted $45 million in cash and 18 tons of illegal drugs. In the second effort, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Customs and Border Protection officers and a Coast Guard crew intercepted a fast boat carrying approximately 871 pounds of cocaine and 270 pounds of heroin, valued at more than $15 million. The drugs were seized and the six-member crew was arrested. To see more, go to:  www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2007/February/07_crm_120.html and www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/02282007_2.xml.

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