SANDKEY Documents [DEA]

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:

Any and all documents produced as part of or describing the operation known as SANDKEY, a joint DEA/NSA program to intercept and
utilize unencrypted VHF voice communications. Specifically, include any related documents mentioning the FCC-HFDF network, the CONUS antenna network, and the OCONUS antenna network. Please also include any and all relevant documents, reports, PowerPoint presentations, memoranda, press releases, intelligence alerts, faxes, cables and any other relevant documents. Please also make sure to include any and all related communications with the NSA, FCC and the CIA.

In the event that the contents of the requested documents are classified under Executive Order 13526, I also make the following additional requests:

Pursuant to section 1.2 of Executive Order 13526, I am requesting the level of classification of this information and its existence/nonexistence.

Pursuant to section 1.3 of Executive Order 13526, I am requesting the specific authority which classified this information.

Pursuant to section 1.4 of Executive Order 13526, I am requesting the specific classification categories of this information, as well as an identification or description of the damage to national security which the disclosure of this information would produce.

Pursuant to section 1.5 of Executive Order 13526, I am requesting the specific duration of time for which this classification will stand.

Pursuant to section 1.6 of Executive Order 13526, I am requesting all classification markings about this information, including (1) one of the three classification levels defined in section 1.2 of Executive Order 13526, (2) the identity, by name and position, or by personal identifier, of the original classification authority, (3) the agency and office of origin, if not otherwise evident, (4) declassification instructions, and (5) a concise reason for classification that, at a minimum, cites the applicable classification categories in section 1.4 of Executive Order 13526.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest and I am a media requester.

MuckRock is an internationally cited news organization which regularly publishes original analysis and reporting, both on its own site (https://www.muckrock.com/news) and in partnership with news media outlets such as the Boston Globe and VICE Media.

Many of these report break local, regional, and national news, leading to a better understanding of government operations and reforms.

For example, our original and exclusive report on Seattle UAV purchases lead to public outcry and the cancellation of the program:

https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2012/oct/11/two-seattle-police-drones-sit-unused-department-se/

http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/9/3970614/seattle-police-department-drone-program-scrapped-by-mayor

Our original report, in conjunction with the Boston Globe, on the Boston Police Department's use of license scanner technology len to the suspension of that program:

https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2013/dec/15/boston-police-close-alpr-program/

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/12/14/boston-police-suspend-use-high-tech-licence-plate-readers-amid-privacy-concerns/B2hy9UIzC7KzebnGyQ0JNM/story.html

Our reports have spurred over 400 news articles in other publications, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press, Fox News, Gawker, and hundreds of other leading news sources at every level.

An incomplete list of such references is available here:

https://pinboard.in/u:morisy/t:muckrock_press

As a news organization, MuckRock does *not* profit off the publication of government documents, making them freely available, alongside our original analysis, to anyone with a web connection, free of advertising. The public service this presents has been widely cited by media authorities including:

* Dan Kennedy of Northeastern University’s School of Journalism:
http://dankennedy.net/2010/11/18/a-first-amendment-hero-in-the-making/

* The Society of Professional Journalists:
http://blogs.spjnetwork.org/foi/2011/05/28/foi-tip-muckrock-helps-journalists-get-records/

* The Columbia Journalism Review:
http://cjr.org/behind_the_news/qa_michael_morisy_cofounder_of_muckrock.php

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Michael Morisy