Apple’s AirTag helped the DEA in the fight against drug trafficking.

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46672 91009 000 lead airtag xl.jpg

Apple’s AirTag have become very popular since its release in 2021. These small location-tracking devices can be used to help find lost items, but they also have the potential to be used for malicious purposes.

Now, the DEA has used an AirTag in a narcotics investigation, marking the first time a federal agency is known to have used this device in an investigation.

The case began when border agents seized two packages sent from Shanghai, China, which they suspected contained materials used in the illegal manufacture of narcotics.

Rather than cancel the shipment or visit the manufacturer, investigators decided to hide an AirTag inside a pill press that was found in one of the packages.

The idea was to track down the press to find out who was behind the shipment and their possible connection to drug trafficking.

Why did the Dea use Apple AirTag?

The DEA did not explain why it chose to use an AirTag instead of a professional GPS tracker, but there is speculation that it could be due to the unreliability of current GPS devices.

In the search warrant, an agent said that “Accurate information about the location of the pill press will allow investigators to obtain evidence about where those individuals store drugs and/or drug proceeds, where they obtain controlled substances, and where else they distribute them.”

However, the DEA also runs the risk of using consumer devices such as AirTags.

Apple has added anti-tracking measures in AirTag in response to harassment cases.

So an iPhone can warn users if it detects an AirTag moving with them, and the devices will start beeping if the original owner hasn’t been around for a while.

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The DEA’s use of AirTags to track a pill press in a narcotics investigation may be a legitimate use case for the technology, but it may also be concerning due to its potential for malicious use.

This is the supervising attorney for the Legal Aid Society.

Jerome Greco, supervising attorney for the Legal Aid Society, said that “AirTags and competing products continue to raise concerns due to the ease with which they can be abused and the potentially significant consequences of such abuse.”

Importantly, it is not known how much the AirTag helped the DEA in their investigation, but it is known that the intended recipient of the pill press was indicted on drug-related charges.

Also, this is not the only case where an AirTag has been used for legal purposes. An AirTag was recently used to track former Love Island star Montana Brown and helped police track down a Chicago carjacker in a separate incident.

The use of Apple AirTag in investigations.

It is clear that the use of AirTags in criminal investigations can be a useful tool for law enforcement, but it also raises concerns about privacy and the potential abuse of these technologies.

In the case of the DEA, the use of an AirTag may have helped track the destination of the pill press and gain valuable information on the distribution of illegal narcotics.

However, the risk of these devices being detected, and the fact that Apple has added anti-tracking measures to AirTags in response to harassment, raises the question of whether these devices are the best option for law enforcement.

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Additionally, while the DEA’s use of AirTags may be legal in terms of criminal investigations, the lack of transparency about their use and the ability to conceal them on objects without the knowledge of the person wearing them raises serious ethical questions.

Privacy advocates worry that AirTags could be used to track people without their consent, and that this could be used to harass or threaten someone.

Ultimately, technology is a tool and its use depends on context and intent.

If used with caution and within the framework of applicable laws and regulations, AirTags can be a useful tool for law enforcement and criminal investigation.

However, it is also important to consider the risks and concerns associated with its use and to ensure that steps are taken to protect the privacy and rights of the individuals involved.

So AirTags can be a double-edged sword, and it’s crucial to carefully examine their use in the context of ethics and privacy.