thedrifter
05-19-09, 08:12 AM
Satellite images helping police curb drug trade
Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Tuesday, May 19, 2009
A little-known U.S. military intelligence agency is helping law enforcement curb drug trade on the U.S.-Mexico border by providing satellite imagery of Mexican drug-running operations, according to a report in the Arizona Republic.
R. Scott Zikmanis, a deputy director of operations with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, told the newspaper that the agency could coordinate with U.S. and Mexican police agencies if photos identified criminals preparing to cross the border with drugs or stashing drugs in an area near the border.
As an example, Zikmanis told the paper, if the National Security Agency were to intercept conversations about a planned drug shipment across the border, a satellite could then photograph the preparations for the shipment and the information could be sent to U.S. border agents. The agents could then alert Mexican authorities or try to make an arrest as the shipment comes across the border.
"Is it possible? Of course it is," the paper quoted Zikmanis as saying. "Is it practical? Yes."
Federal law prohibits U.S. military operations on U.S. soil unless authorized by Congress, so satellite images are taken only of the Mexican side of the border, the paper reported. It said the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency focuses surveillance on foreign nations, though it also has assisted in domestic disasters such as wildfires and Hurricane Katrina.
Ellie
Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Tuesday, May 19, 2009
A little-known U.S. military intelligence agency is helping law enforcement curb drug trade on the U.S.-Mexico border by providing satellite imagery of Mexican drug-running operations, according to a report in the Arizona Republic.
R. Scott Zikmanis, a deputy director of operations with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, told the newspaper that the agency could coordinate with U.S. and Mexican police agencies if photos identified criminals preparing to cross the border with drugs or stashing drugs in an area near the border.
As an example, Zikmanis told the paper, if the National Security Agency were to intercept conversations about a planned drug shipment across the border, a satellite could then photograph the preparations for the shipment and the information could be sent to U.S. border agents. The agents could then alert Mexican authorities or try to make an arrest as the shipment comes across the border.
"Is it possible? Of course it is," the paper quoted Zikmanis as saying. "Is it practical? Yes."
Federal law prohibits U.S. military operations on U.S. soil unless authorized by Congress, so satellite images are taken only of the Mexican side of the border, the paper reported. It said the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency focuses surveillance on foreign nations, though it also has assisted in domestic disasters such as wildfires and Hurricane Katrina.
Ellie