preemptive search based on chat talk

``The severity of the threat was such that it required a preemptive search. It's just not worth allowing something like this to happen where there is probable cause to believe it will. I say there was probable cause because a federal search warrant was signed regarding this matter,'' McLaughlin said. http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010114/wr/crime_dc_4.html