With a single wiretap order, US authorities listened in on 3.3 million phone calls

[EC]

NEW YORK, NY -- US authorities intercepted and recorded millions of phone calls last year under a single wiretap order, authorized as part of a narcotics investigation.

The wiretap order authorized an unknown government agency to carry out real-time intercepts of 3.29 million cell phone conversations over a two-month period at some point during 2016, after the order was applied for in late 2015.

The order was signed to help authorities track 26 individuals suspected of involvement with illegal drug and narcotic-related activities in Pennsylvania.

The wiretap cost the authorities $335,000 to conduct and led to a dozen arrests.

But the authorities noted that the surveillance effort led to no incriminating intercepts, and none of the handful of those arrested have been brought to trial or convicted.

More: http://www.zdnet.com/article/one-federal-wiretap-order-recorded-millions-phone-calls/

[Night Hides Not]

NEW YORK, NY -- US authorities intercepted and recorded millions of phone calls last year under a single wiretap order, authorized as part of a narcotics investigation.

The wiretap order authorized an unknown government agency to carry out real-time intercepts of 3.29 million cell phone conversations over a two-month period at some point during 2016, after the order was applied for in late 2015.

The order was signed to help authorities track 26 individuals suspected of involvement with illegal drug and narcotic-related activities in Pennsylvania.

The wiretap cost the authorities $335,000 to conduct and led to a dozen arrests.

But the authorities noted that the surveillance effort led to no incriminating intercepts, and none of the handful of those arrested have been brought to trial or convicted.

More: http://www.zdnet.com/article/one-federal-wiretap-order-recorded-millions-phone-calls/

The reporter should have gone further, i.e. why haven't any of those arrested been brought to trial and/or convicted? Were there any pleadings in these cases?

[driftdiver]

What's more of a danger to our country, drugs or this kind of law enforcement?

[Taxcontrol]

I work in cyber security.  The vast majority of our customers are banks and credit unions.  I encourage the executives of our customers to consider services like Cellcrypt for their executive's phones. (http://www.cellcrypt.com/)

[Sanguine]

What's more of a danger to our country, drugs or this kind of law enforcement?

In the immediate term: drugs.  Which one of these has the potential for the most danger: probably this kind of "law enforcement."

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

In the immediate term: drugs.  Which one of these has the potential for the most danger: probably this kind of "law enforcement."

When an addict kicks down my door looking to steal my TV to support his habit, I can defend myself.

When a LEO kicks down my door serving a no-knock raid on the wrong house, I can defend myself.  However, if I survive I'll probably be headed to prison

[Fishrrman]

$335,000 for a dozen targets?

Heck, it would be cheaper to "contract this out" to some guys in sharkskin suits.
Don't have to worry about convictions, either…  ;)

[unite for individuality]

NEW YORK, NY -- US authorities intercepted and recorded millions of phone calls last year under a single wiretap order ...

The wiretap order authorized an unknown government agency to carry out real-time intercepts of 3.29 million cell phone conversations over a two-month period at some point during 2016 ...

There's this one woman I know that,
if they tapped just HER phone,
I don't think it would take very long at all
to reach 3 million calls...