In May 2022, border agents in the US intercepted two packages originating from Shanghai, China. One package contained a pill press, a machine used to form tablets from powders; the other held small vials of pill dyes. It was immediately assumed that this paraphernalia was involved in the creation of illicit drugs.
DEA standard procedure follows a certain pattern: immediately cancel the shipment in question, then approach the intended recipient for further information. This time, however, they chose a different approach, covertly inserting an Apple AirTag inside the pill press itself. With this — they reasoned — they could map the movement of drugs within US borders.