WASHINGTON – The CIA and broader U.S. intelligence community are seeking to enhance efforts against the fentanyl crisis that claims tens of thousands of American lives annually.
They are quietly urging Congress to expand the use of a controversial and top-secret eavesdropping program for this purpose, as reported by USA TODAY. Senior intelligence officials have been advocating for the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, which permits warrantless eavesdropping on foreigners overseas.
The Central Intelligence Agency, as the nation's primary intelligence agency, argues that the intelligence collection authorized under Section 702 is crucial to combat transnational organized crime groups involved in manufacturing and smuggling the lethal synthetic opioid from China through Mexico into the U.S.
However, officials say the current law is too limited to allow CIA officers and analysts to target all individuals involved in the multibillion-dollar fentanyl trade overseas.
To expand Section 702, intelligence officials must address significant concerns from a bipartisan group of lawmakers who fear past misuse of the surveillance tool, including inappropriate surveillance of Americans. The law is set to expire on April 19 if Congress does not reach a consensus on its reform and reauthorization.
The Section 702 program was established after the September 11, 2001, attacks to allow the U.S. to monitor communications of non-Americans overseas without obtaining court-approved warrants. Over time, the program's scope has expanded to include foreign governments and traffickers in weapons of mass destruction.
Amid the fentanyl crisis, the CIA has used the program to disrupt traffickers of the opioid and its precursor chemicals, according to a CIA briefing paper. Fentanyl is extremely potent, with even a small dose being potentially fatal.
Deputy CIA Director David Cohen highlighted the importance of using various collection tools, including the 702 program, to track fentanyl trade networks.
By intercepting and analyzing electronic communications, CIA agents can identify and monitor key players involved in the trade, even as they attempt to conceal their activities.
The CIA's efforts to expand the use of Section 702 are largely conducted behind the scenes to protect sensitive intelligence collection methods.
The proposed expansion would authorize intelligence agencies to target not only those manufacturing fentanyl and its precursors but also those involved in transporting and protecting these substances en route to the United States.
In recent years, the CIA has intercepted shipments of chemicals used to produce synthetic opioids and pill presses used to create counterfeit pharmaceuticals containing fentanyl.
These products are often smuggled into the U.S. by Mexican drug cartels and have contributed to a record number of fatal drug overdoses in the country.
To gain support for the expanded use of Section 702, the CIA, FBI, National Security Agency, and other intelligence agencies have engaged in a public relations campaign, including declassifying information about the program.
However, some lawmakers remain skeptical and advocate for stricter oversight and reforms to protect civil liberties.
As Congress debates the reauthorization of Section 702, CIA officials continue to educate lawmakers about the program's importance in combating the fentanyl crisis.
They stress the need for a compromise that balances civil liberties with the necessity of targeting drug traffickers effectively.