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.