Opinion ID: 516169
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: search of in-transit passengers

Text: 48 Appellant claims that in-transit passengers should not be subject to routine searches without a showing of some level of suspicion and that the customs official had no reasonable grounds for searching his handbag. He argues that an in-transit passenger should be afforded greater protection than a disembarking passenger against searches because such a passenger, although physically within our nation's borders, has no intention to enter or bring anything into this country. 49 United States v. McKenzie, 818 F.2d 115 (1st Cir.1987) forecloses appellant's argument and renders any discussion unnecessary. We reiterate our holding: 50 The seriousness and worldwide nature of the traffic in narcotics, which civilized nations have joined forces to stamp out, as well as the increased burden upon those efforts that recognition of some kind of in-transit exception would create, militate against the exemption appellant seeks. We decline to immunize international travellers who choose to pass through this country, however, briefly. 51 Id. at 120.