How do Agents obtain legal search warrants?
A search warrant for a residence or business suspected of being a distribution point for illegal narcotics is obtained through the lawful court order of a judge. This order is given to Agents upon the Agents providing documentation and sworn testimony to a judge concerning suspected illegal activity at a given location. The Agent must demonstrate to the judge probable cause to believe that the illegal activity is ongoing. Probable cause is more than just suspicion but less than absolute certainty. Typically narcotics investigations ending with a search warrant at a residence take weeks to months to complete.
