DHS Predictive Intelligence Targeting Teams analyze financial data to guide traffic stops
U.S. Border Patrol's Predictive Intelligence Targeting Teams analyze Americans' financial data to flag people for traffic stops by local law enforcement, even when they are not suspected of specific crimes. In one documented case, a driver was stopped and later charged after Border Patrol identified him based on financial patterns associated with drug trafficking, though he was lawfully transporting cannabis from his employer.
What happened
U.S. Border Patrol operates Predictive Intelligence Targeting Teams (PITT) that analyze Americans' financial activity and other law enforcement-sensitive databases to identify individuals flagged for traffic stops by local law enforcement.
In May 2026, Border Patrol analyst Matthew Phelps analyzed Kyle Olson's financial activity, identifying patterns he described as 'commonly associated with illicit narcotics activity,' and shared this information with Montana Highway Patrol Sergeant James Beck. Beck subsequently stopped Olson for an obstructed license plate, leading to blood tests and eventual charges for driving under the influence and marijuana possession.
Customs and Border Protection declined to disclose what financial activity it monitors, whether warrants are obtained, or its analytical methods and targeting criteria.
Reported impact
Kyle Olson was stopped and detained based partly on financial analysis without being suspected of a specific crime. He was later charged with driving under the influence and possession with intent to distribute marijuana; the marijuana was from his lawful employment at a licensed cannabis farm in California.
The PITT program operates at multiple locations including Spokane, Washington and Laredo, Texas, with Border Patrol apparently using predictive policing to create pretexts for stops rather than to identify people suspected of crimes.
Index analysis
The system relies on financial activity patterns as indicators of criminal behavior without transparent criteria or demonstrated predictive accuracy. The underlying financial data sources and analytical methods remain undisclosed to the public and reportedly to the officers conducting stops.
The approach enables law enforcement to stop individuals without suspicion of a specific crime, with the financial analysis remaining hidden while officers cite pretextual reasons such as traffic violations.
Governance controls
U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated it conducts these efforts to support national security operations and identify potential threats to public safety, but refused to provide details on monitoring scope, warrant procedures, or targeting criteria.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.