(EST PUB DATE) NSA INTERCEPT OF US-SA TRAFFIC

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 01435047
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: August 7, 2017
• Case Number: F-2007-00094
• Publication Date: January 1, 1973

Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C01435047
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Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C01435047
Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C01435047
HANDLE VIA�IT CHANNELS
SUBJECT: NSA Intercept of US-SA Traffic
1. In late September 1972 NSA, through Division D,
requested that
initiate a hearabiiity survey
of certain HF long-distance commercial telephone circuits
between the U.S. and South America. The circuits were
known by NSA to carry drug-related long-distance calls of
interest to the BNDD and other U.S. agencies.
2. On 14 October 1972 coverage of the traffic of
The intercepted material was provided to NSA, wnicn
commented on 15 Jan 1973 that the test results were
good and that it hoped the coverage would continue.
3. The suggestion that the coverage should continue
indefinitely raised the question within Division D as to
whether this intercept activity was legal and on 26 Jan
1973, a request for a legal opinion was addressed to the
General Counsel who replied, on 29 Jan 1973 that such
collection by CIA appeared to be barred by statute.
4. Upon receipt of this opinion, the activity, was
immediately stopped and never resumed
there or elsewhere, in the U.S.
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Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C01435047