Goliad County police used a discarded liquor receipt to justify warrantless cell phone surveillance through Tangles, a tool costing over $300,000 in state border security grants. Sheriff Roy Boyd admitted he’s not a tech expert, using a 2017 iPhone. The software, owned by PenLink Ltd, tracks devices via geofencing without judicial oversight.

This case highlights a growing trend where U.S. law enforcement bypasses the Supreme Court’s *Carpenter* ruling by purchasing location data from data brokers. Critics like ACLU attorney Nathan Wessler argue this erodes constitutional rights. The Texas Department of Public Safety and federal agencies like ICE have also invested millions in similar tools, raising widespread privacy concerns.

Sheriff Boyd’s task force, part of Operation Lone Star, pools nearly 60 agencies for anti-smuggling operations. While officials claim Tangles only uses commercial data and doesn’t reveal names, civil liberties advocates warn of unchecked police power. The lack of public reports on its use fuels calls for greater transparency and oversight of surveillance spending.