Opinion ID: 202274
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Martinez wiretaps

Text: 8 Contemporaneous with their use of Hercules and CW-2, the DEA agents used a number of traditional law enforcement investigative techniques—including physical surveillance, pen registers, and telephone toll records—to some effect. Meanwhile, the DEA rejected the use of other techniques—including search warrants, grand jury subpoenas, and witness interviews— for fear that they could compromise the investigation. As detailed in the affidavits in support of the three wiretaps at issue here, the DEA asserted that traditional investigative techniques were incapable of meeting the DEA's longer-term goals for the Martinez investigation. These goals included: identifying Martinez's current source(s) for his supply of cocaine, his other management-level co-conspirators, and major customers; learning how Martinez was disposing of the proceeds from his operation; locating additional stash locations; and understanding the use of already-identified stash locations. A federal judge approved the three wiretaps.