[idProQuo]

The issue I have with the hypothetical is: how would they know about the phone calls without a wiretap? If there was no other reason to suspect the guy, they'd have no basis for probable cause, and thus no way to get a wiretap.

Now if someone tells the police that they've been getting incriminating phone calls, well then that seems like more reasonable probable cause, and doesn't strike me as morally dubious.