The Criminal Division office that oversees the department’s use of electronic surveillance has a new chief.
Paul O’Brien, who until recently was chief of the Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Section, has moved to the Office of Enforcement Operations, a department spokeswoman said. He replaced Maureen Killion, who recently retired as Director.
The Justice Department on Friday posted a job announcement for Narcotics chief.
In his new position, O’Brien will review electronic surveillance requests — excluding those made pursuant to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act — and shepherd the development of policy on new technologies and telecommunications issues.
The office also signs off on applications for the federal witness protection program, requests by federal agencies to use federal prisoners in investigations and requests for witness immunity.
The Narcotics Section, whose mission is to dismantle powerful drug trafficking and narco-terrorist groups, is among the office’s biggest clients.
As Narcotics chief, O’Brien helped coordinate a massive multi-agency sweep of alleged members of the violent Mexican drug cartel La Familia. Authorities said the October take down, which produced about 300 arrests, was the largest ever against a Mexican cartel.
O’Brien was also on the team that replaced the Justice Department lawyers who handled the prosecution of former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens. He publicly apologized on the department’s behalf for a series of prosecutor errors that doomed the case.
O’Brien could not be reached for comment.
