Patriot Act FISA Wiretaps Help Convict Stolen Baby Formula Fencer

[RamboLiberal]

Sorry it's Sludge - only other site I could find the story was WSJ subscriber only. Gee, don't you feel safer?

http://www.drudgereport.com/flash6.htm

The case of Samih Jammal, convicted with the help of the Patriot Act and FISA wiretaps of fencing stolen baby formula, sits on the fine line between the government's terrorism-fighting role and its duty to protect citizen's rights.

The WALL STREET JOURNAL reports the use of FISA warrants helped prosecuted Arizona grocery wholesaler Jammal, who was convicted of operating a baby formula theft ring.

The JOURNAL notes that Jammal, a "U.S. citizen born in Lebanon, was never charged with any offense related to terrorism."

Jammal "is appealing, contending that FISA evidence used against him was illegally obtained and crippled his defense. ... 'It's baby formula of mass destruction here,' he said at one pretrial hearing."

[Matariki]

1. never thought i'd see these words as a sentence:

"baby formula theft ring"

[pitohui]

5. what abt the baby diaper rings?

i was surprised to learn that so many people have to buy their diapers on the black market, they even had a delivery truck to bring the black market diapers around to one of my friend's neighborhoods

apparently they hijack entire truckloads of diapers or something and sell them below wholesale or sometimes they buy the diapers from professional shoplifters for a silly price

[MissB]

10. It is a pretty big racket.

If you aren't a parent, you haven't likely priced baby formula. It ain't cheap.

[AndyA]

2. OH THANK GOD, THANK GOD!

It will be *SAFE* to sleep tonight, America! :sarcasm:

[cyanide]

3. They will only use it against terrorists

SURE

[DUHandle]

4. Some baby formula maker or the other

was peddling a 2nd tier product in Africa a few years ago.

It didn't provide sufficient nutrition - infants died.

[baldguy]

6. It's the Baby Food Terra-ist!!

Bush save us from baby food terra!!!

Next, we need the Patriot Act to get us that Frito Bandito!

[Jack Rabbit]

7. This justifies the Patriot Act how?

Did they really need it to nab this guy? And, as they admit, the case wasn't terrorist related.

[DearAbby]

8. Goes to show that FISA does work...

the use of FISA warrants helped prosecuted Arizona grocery wholesaler Jammal, who was convicted of operating a baby formula theft ring. It appears it didn't slow them down on making their case either...the prosecutors followed THE LAW...No problem with FISA, the problem is people not USING FISA, thus breaking the law.

[leveymg]

9. Even the wingnuts have to see the irony in this.

We've given up the Fourth Amendment for this? Or, are they saying that FISA warrants are essentially useless in catching terrorists, and should be dispensed with altogether?

Whichever - what a confused message this sends.

[Canuckistanian]

11. Gee, and I thought FISA warrants prevented investigations

I guess not.