3 SFO security screeners charged with smuggling cocaine

Jetliners guided into position for takeoff by air traffic controllers can be seen from the new control tower at SFO in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015. The state-of-the-art 231-foot tower will replace the older and shorter version when it becomes fully operational in July 2016. less Jetliners guided into position for takeoff by air traffic controllers can be seen from the new control tower at SFO in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015. The state-of-the-art 231-foot tower will ... more Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close 3 SFO security screeners charged with smuggling cocaine 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Three San Francisco International Airport security screeners could face life sentences after they were arrested on charges of defrauding the government and smuggling cocaine, the Department of Justice announced Friday.

All three workers were current or former employees of a private company named Covenant Aviation Security that contracts with the Transportation Security Administration to carry out security screening at SFO, officials said.

Officers arrested Joseph Scott, 35, of Vallejo, who formerly worked as a supervisory transportation security officer. Jessica Scott, 27, of San Pablo, who currently serves in the same role was also arrested, along with Michael Castaneda, 32, of Daly City, a former lead transportation security officer. It was unclear whether the Scotts were related.

The three charged a fee to look the other way while airport passengers smuggled real and simulated cocaine through security checkpoints, according to the indictment. Between May 2013 and April 2014, they allowed certain passengers with narcotics in their carry-ons to pass through the X-ray machine without checking for security threats like explosives or weapons.

Through undercover operations by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the TSA Office of Inspection, agents learned smugglers paid a fee to the officers so that when they arrived at checkpoints they were directed to lines with one of the involved officials. Every time, the officer viewing the X-ray either saw the bag needed a second inspection or knew the bag contained drugs and let them proceed. Department of Justice officials said.

The suspects didn’t realize, however, that the drugs smuggled in each case were a part of the undercover operation.

The officers were charged with conspiring to defraud the TSA by obstructing a lawful government function, which could lead to five years in prion and a maximum fine of $250,000.

For the second count — conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine — they face a minimum 10-year sentence, a maximum life sentence, and a maximum $10 million fine.

Both Joseph and Jessica Scott were released on $50,000 bond. Castaneda is still in custody and is scheduled to have a detention hearing Monday.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno