An agreement between the European Union and Canada to share airline passenger data that they say is key to fighting terrorism drew tough scrutiny at an EU court hearing because of privacy concerns. The dispute over the retention and sharing of passenger name records (PNR) is part of the debate over balancing people's privacy with the need to protect against terrorism. The agreement with Canada foresees the retention and sharing with Canadian authorities of airline passenger data by carriers operating flights between the EU and Canada. The Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) heard arguments for and against the agreement at a six-hour proceeding. "We… know that these crimes do not respect borders," said D. Fennelly, a lawyer for Ireland. "The European Union cannot and should not act in splendid isolation." Ireland, France, Britain, Spain and Estonia, who intervened in the case, said that PNR do not allow investigators to paint a detailed picture of someone's private life. But the European Parliament and privacy advocates cast doubt on that assertion. PNR includes name, travel dates, itinerary, ticket and contact details, travel agent and other details. "Practically all of the PNR data transferred by air carriers is systematically analyzed in order to make assumptions about who is or who is not a dangerous traveller," said Anna Buchta, agent for the European Data Protection Supervisor. The governments' lawyers said it was impossible for investigators to know beforehand which PNR data could prove useful. A non-bonding opinion from an adviser to the court is expected in June, with a final ruling to follow later in the year.<br/>
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On the same day a JetBlue Airways flight attendant was due to appear in court on charges she tried to carry 70 pounds of cocaine onto a plane at LAX, two former baggage handlers at the airport were arrested Monday for allegedly smuggling cocaine past security as part of a nationwide drug ring. Adrian Ponce, 27, and Alberto Preciado Gutierrez, 26, were expected to make initial court appearances Tuesday in downtown LA. According to federal authorities, the pair were involved “in a nationwide conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine.” Ponce and Gutierrez allegedly used airport credentials to smuggle cocaine past security and pass it along to third-party couriers who took the drugs aboard commercial flights to deliver to customers on the East Coast. Both men face 10 years to life in prison if convicted of drug trafficking, prosecutors said.<br/>