Pubdate: Sun, 12 Feb 2006
Source: Austin Chronicle (TX)
Copyright: 2006 Austin Chronicle Corp.
Contact: 
http://www.austinchronicle.com/info/email-directory.php?mailto=mail&name=General
Website: http://www.auschron.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/33
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

AIR MARSHALS IN HOUSTON FACE DRUG CHARGES

Two U.S. air marshals face federal drug charges after being arrested 
last week, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office said today.

The names of the air marshals or details about what they were 
arrested for were not released by authorities.

However, Time Magazine's Web site said the air marshals were 
allegedly involved with the possession or transportation of cocaine 
and may have received thousands of dollars for their work.

The magazine said one of those arrested is a former Drug Enforcement 
Administration agent.

Nancy Herrera, with the U.S. Attorney's Office, in Houston, said the 
air marshals were arrested Thursday afternoon in northwest Houston 
near the intersection of West Road and Telge by agents with the 
Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General, the 
FBI, the U.S. Air Marshals Service and the Harris County Sheriff's Department.

Both men arrested remain in federal custody.

Herrera could not say if the men had court hearings scheduled for this week.

Thousands of air marshals, who fly undercover on airliners, were 
rushed into service after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Though the exact number of air marshals is classified, pilots 
estimate that they cover a small percentage of flights.
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