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Feb 12, 2007 10:53 pm US/Central
Drug Dealers Find New Way To Avoid Police
by J.D. Miles
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
Dallas police say some cell phones are an open line for criminals.
A movement is underway to require government IDs from anyone who buys a prepaid cell phone.
Buying a cell phone and signing up for service has never been easier. An ID isn't required at a lot of retailers, but police say that's turning into a problem for them.
They say drug dealers are using fake names and distributing the phones within their organization to keep police off their tails.
"These phones are becoming more and more of a problem, and that's where the frustration comes from," says Deputy Chief Julian Bernal of the Dallas Police Department's Narcotics Division.
CBS 11 News took a hidden camera inside some cell phone retailers and found that often they could care less about who buys the phone. They even encourage the use of phony IDs.
"As a prosecutor, when you build a case, oftentimes cell phones are the only way you can get to the top people in a drug organization or any criminal organization," says Toby Shook, former Dallas County Assistant District Attorney.
Police are lobbying for a state law that would not only require a government ID from anyone who purchases a prepaid cell phone, but also limit the number that can be bought at one time.
(CBS 11 News)
