Almost 90 Percent of All US Wiretaps Listen for Suspected Drug Deals

According to a new Administrative Office of US Courts report, nearly 90 percent  of wiretaps, , listened for suspected narcotics dealings.   Wiretaps hit an all-time high in 2013, the most recent year for which we have data.

The report breaks down the  hotspots of authorized wiretap surveillance on electronic, oral, and wire communications in the US.

All told, federal and state judges authorized 3,576 wiretaps last year, according to the report. That’s only a five percent bump over 2012, to be sure.

A decade ago domestic law enforcement carried out half as many wiretaps.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration are taking more and more after the Central Intelligence and National Security Agencies when it comes to spying.