WICHITA, Kan. (AP) – A report by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts shows federal judges in Kansas and Missouri authorized more than twice as many wiretaps last year as they did in 2009.

The annual wiretap report made public Thursday shows federal judges issued 25 wiretaps to intercept cellphone calls and text messages in Kansas last year, up from 12 in 2009. Nearly all were related to drug-related investigations. At least eight wiretaps were also authorized by state judges.

In Missouri, the report says federal judges approved 46 wiretaps in 2010, up from 18 the previous year. The report also says requests to federal and state courts nationwide for wiretaps increased by 34 percent last year.

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