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Tradecraft:
Covert exchanges.
Many methods can be
employed by agents to covertly pass items from one agent to another, with
minimal chance of discovery. Since agents must always assume they are being
watched by surveillance teams, it is important that any exchanges be done
very discreetly. Why? If the agent was to just meet the other agent in a
cafe and hand over the item, the exchange
could
be seen. Also, the local
counter intelligence agency is always on the lookout for anyone new that a
known agent meets. This is how other agents and espionage networks are
discovered, infiltrated and neutralized. Passing a document in the open is
a sure fire way to be burned.
Agents can use any one of the following
covert methods to pass items.
-
Brush Pass:
This technique requires practice and coordination, but is the easiest method
of transfer. Simply stated, the two agents literally "brush" past one
another, passing the item from hand to hand as they go by. This may be done
any number of places; however, it is most securely done in very busy areas,
with a thick crowd of people. The busier it is, the more difficult it would
be for any surveillance teams to see the item being passed. Variations
include standing together on a busy train or passing documents between
bathroom stalls in a busy public washroom. The options are unlimited.
-
Dead Drop or Dead Letter Box:
This technique is more useful in a quiet setting, unlike the brush pass. In
this case, a location must be scouted and pre-planned
before a dead drop can be utilized. The agent will "load" the dead drop by
placing the item for later pick up by another agent. This method alleviates
the need for the two agents to be in the same place at the same time.
Again, the variations are almost unlimited, however, the main criteria is
privacy. As an example, an agent may make a habit of walking through a park
every morning. The agent has a letter to pass and has several Dead Drops
picked out in the park. As he walks down a quiet trail in the park, the
agent places the letter inside a hollow tree, just off the trail and
continues on his way. Later, the other agent will walk the same trail and
discreetly retrieve the letter. This method can be used almost anywhere,
such as an alley between buildings or in a small restaurant or book store.
Agents have been known to place items under the tank in a public washroom
and inside a particular (but unpopular) book in a library. Agents must
always be sure that their actions are not seen by any surveillance or the
Drop will be staked out and the other agent will be caught as he retrieves
the item.
-
Live Drop or Live letter box:
The live Drop is similar to the dead drop except that a person is used
instead of an object. For example, the agent will bring his suit to the
drycleaners, where a person known to the agent works. Inside his jacket
will be the letter that needs to be transferred. To any surveillance
watching, the agent is just dropping off laundry. Later, another agent will
come in to retrieve his shirts and will be given the letter by the employee,
probably inside one of the shirts. Again, if anyone is watching the shop,
they can have no way of knowing which of the many customers could be the
other agent. Of course, the inherent risk of a live drop is that the "live
Drop" person knows both agents and if caught, can expose both of them.
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