1996 Wiretap Report

I've been enjoying the 1996 Wiretap report. A couple of my favorite observations are: (1) Of the 1149 intercept applications authorized for 1996, 821 were for "Narcotics" and 114 were for "Gambling". I.e., 81% of the authorized intercepts were targeted at good old fashioned entrepreneurs. (2) In the past 11 years (1986 - 1996) a total of 9,912 intercept applications were approved. Of that number 5 (five!) were for "Arson, explosives, and weapons." Unless they've classified wiretaps against "suspected terrorists" in the "Other" category, it looks as if the LEOs don't think (targeted) wiretaps are useful for stopping small groups of modestly skilled people bent on blowing things up. No Shit.