CNN Learns FBI Is Using Small Fleet Of Surveillance Planes In The U.S. Without Warrants. Aired at 11:30a-12p ET
BERMAN: New this morning, CNN has learned that the FBI is using a small fleet of what you could call spy planes here in the United States. The planes are for investigations and surveillance and the FBI says it doesn't need a warrant to use them. They say the flights are not secret, but they register the planes under front companies.</s>BOLDUAN: The planes are carrying video and cell phone surveillance technology, but what are the planes picking up, who are they tracking, what are they used for. Justice correspondent Pamela Brown has more on this and a whole lot of questions as we're laying them out there. What is the FBI saying about this? What are you picking up?</s>PAMELA BROWN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. So we know, John and Kate, that aerial surveillance by the FBI is nothing new but we're learning more about the size and scope of the programs. So a review by the associated press coverage this week reported that the agency flew above more than 30 cities in 11 states over a 30-day period. And the report also said planes were masked by the existence of at least 13 fictitious companies. Now in response to this, the FBI released a statement saying that its unit is no secret and described the secrecy as protected for operational security purposes. So essentially they're saying this isn't a secret but we don't publicizes this either. Now, an official spokes to the existence of the fleet of planes are registered under those fictitious companies because the FBI wants to be as discreet as possible, essentially, it doesn't want people to put what they're doing on their radar. They don't want to tip off the bad guys, the criminals they're trying to monitor with the planes the FBI is doing so. Now, the planes are equipped with electronic surveillance used with FBI and state and local officials. Such as during the Baltimore riots the FBI used surveillance aircraft at the request of Baltimore police. And just to point this out the official I spoke with says that before this plane is used it is signed off but there's no court warrant for it which for some raises a level of concern. The ACLU has issues with this.</s>BERMAN: So no warrant, who approves it if there's no warrant?</s>BROWN: So I'm told that it's an approved at various levels within DOJ. So you have the Department of Justice and then you have levels at the FBI all the way - sometimes goes to the top and there are the field offices as well that are involved with the approval process, but there are a certain number of restrictions and guidelines that must be followed that were set forth by DOJ and the inspector general looked at this program and found that it was legal and constitutional, however a lot of that report was redacted. So there are still some questions about it. John and Kate.</s>BOLDUAN: And as you point out there are clearly some people who are crying foul when it comes to civil liberties. Any action being taken in that regard?</s>BROWN: So we know that the ACLU has spoken about these programs, not just the FBI, DEA and other agencies have similar surveillance programs and the real controversy here if you want to call it that, sometimes these surveillance aircraft picks up personal information on people. It scoops it up as part of the investigation and I'm told that information is discarded but an it's unclear how quickly it's discarded and sometimes handed over to prosecutors to help with a case. It provides evidence. There is certainly controversy in that regard.</s>BOLDUAN: All right. Pamela Brown tracking it for us, Pamela it's great to see you, thanks so much.</s>BROWN: Thank you.</s>BOLDUAN: And thank all of you for joining us "</s>AT THIS HOUR." BERMAN: "LEGAL VIEW" with Ashleigh Banfield starts after a quick break.