In 1986, the U.S. Customs Service imposed a drug testing program for "
employees seeking transfer or promotion to positions having direct involvement in drug
interdiction," required to carry
firearms, or have access to classified information. The
National Treasury Employees Union sued and alleged that the program was violative of the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable
search and seizure. The
Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled in favor of the government. The union then appealed to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court upheld the Court of Appeals ruling with regard to positions involving drug interdiction and firearms. The ruling for classified information was held over, as the Supreme Court determined that the U.S. Customs Service too broadly included employee groups who would not generally have access to high levels of classified information. ==Opinion of the Court==