NCJ Number
128813
Date Published
1991
Length
5 pages
Annotation
There was a decrease of over 62 percent in the use of authorized electronic surveillance or wiretapping in Maryland between 1989 and 1990; there were only 12 requests compared to 32 the previous year.
Abstract
There was also a decrease in the number of counties requesting the use of electronic surveillance; Prince George's County filed 41.7 percent of the reports and Baltimore County accounted for 33.3 percent. Many of the electronic surveillances occurring during 1990 were multi-jurisdictional, multi-State task force operations initiated by the Federal government. The 12 requests were granted within 30 days or less; two extensions were also granted. All of the requests for wiretapping and electronic surveillance were related to violations of controlled dangerous substances laws. The 8,685 interceptions, 10 percent of which were incriminating, resulted in 30 arrests; while some investigations remain pending. The cost for individual wiretaps ranged from $6,900 to over $157,000. 3 tables