US to provide domestic surveillance assistance to Mexico

Mexico will soon boost surveillance of phone and e-mail traffic with help from the USA. Mexico's president Felipe Calderon says the increased spying program is intended to better monitor drug gangs and related crime. Law enforcement agencies in the US may also have access to the data collected. Snip from report in today's LA Times by Sam Enriquez

Calderon argues that the government needs the authority to combat drug gangs, which have killed hundreds of people this year.

Mexican authorities for years have been able to wiretap most telephone conversations and tap into e-mail, but the new $3-million Communications Intercept System being installed by Mexico's Federal Investigative Agency will expand their reach.

The system will allow authorities to track cellphone users as they travel, according to contract specifications. It includes extensive storage capacity and will allow authorities to identify callers by voice. The system, scheduled to begin operation this month, was paid for by the U.S. State Department and sold by Verint Systems Inc., a politically well-connected firm based in Melville, N.Y., that specializes in electronic surveillance.

Link ( posted from Guatemala / Xeni )

Reader comment: Dan says,

The Mexican government may say that they need help from the US to keep track of drugs but it's ridiculous. Everyone in Mexico knows exactly where all the drugs are. Walking around the Baja asking for directions will often yield gems such as "Walk past the drug lord's mansion and take a right." It's no secret. Some police actually make a business of raiding lesser known drug lords, taking seizing all their materials and reselling it for a tidy profit.

Mexico needs better surveillance? Please, Mexico needs some real police.