Now they are just going around the courts - no need for a subpoena when you "incentivize" people to give up data.
DEA mines Americans' travel records to seize millions
"Baer said agents receive information from employees at "airlines, bus terminals, car rental agencies, storage facilities, vehicle repair shops, or other businesses." He did not explain why so many suspected couriers are released without charges.
The DEA came under fire for harvesting travel records two years ago, when Amtrak?s inspector general revealed that agents had paid a secretary $854,460 over nearly two decades in exchange for passenger information. A later investigation by the Justice Department?s inspector general found that the secretary initially looked up reservations only at agents? request, but quickly ?began making queries on his own initiative, looking for indicators that a person might be planning to transport illegal drugs or money on a train,? according to a report obtained under the Freedom of Information Act."