The U.S. Justice Department has disclosed that the Sinaloa drug cartel, designated as a foreign terrorist group by multiple countries, used stolen phone records and Mexico City’s surveillance cameras to track and kill FBI informants in 2018. The report, published by the Justice Department Inspector General, highlighted the FBI’s challenges in countering the pervasive use of technical surveillance, which includes the global proliferation of cameras and the trade in communications, travel, and location data. The hacker working for the cartel obtained phone records of an FBI assistant legal attaché and used the data to identify and target potential informants, leading to the intimidation and, in some cases, the murder of sources or cooperating witnesses.
The incident underscores the dangers of digital surveillance and the vulnerabilities of law enforcement in an era of widespread data collection. The report indicates that the hacker used the stolen phone number to access calls made and received by the attaché, as well as geolocation data. This information was then used to monitor the FBI official’s movements and identify individuals they were meeting, allowing the cartel to take targeted actions. The Justice Department’s audit suggests that such technical surveillance is not only common but also poses significant risks to national security and the safety of intelligence operatives.
While the report did not specify the identities of the victims or the exact number of casualties, it emphasized the broader implications of the incident. The FBI’s use of technical surveillance, including the deployment of cameras and data tracking, is now under increased scrutiny. The Justice Department is reportedly considering reforms to enhance cybersecurity measures and better protect informants and cooperating witnesses from such threats. Meanwhile, the Sinaloa cartel, one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Mexico, continues to operate with significant influence, highlighting the challenges faced in combating transnational organized crime.
The case also raises concerns about the ethical and legal implications of digital surveillance, as well as the balance between national security interests and individual privacy rights. As the Justice Department reviews its surveillance strategies, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the evolving nature of threats in the digital age and the need for robust countermeasures to protect intelligence and law enforcement operations.