On Thursday, the New York Times reported that private security guards working for Blackwater USA participated in secret CIA raids against suspected insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan. Blackwater's role now points to a much deeper connection between the security company and the spy agency than has previously been disclosed.

It also raises concerns over the legalities of involving contractors in the most sensitive operations conducted by the United States' government.

A U.S. official confirmed to the Associated Press that Blackwater provided security and moved around with CIA teams on missions in war zones. However, he denied that they performed CIA missions, and mentioned that CIA director Leon Panetta ordered a review of Blackwater's contracts a few months ago to make sure that its guards only perform security related work.

Former Blackwater employees also revealed to the Times that they helped provide security on CIA flights that transported detainees.

George Little, a spokesman for the CIA said:

"This agency, like many others, uses contractors in roles that complement and enhance the skills of our own work force, just as American law permits.

Agency staff officers have the decision-making authority and bear responsibility for results."

The so-called "snatch and grab" raids occurred regularly between 2004 and 2006, when the insurgency in Iraq was escalating and security throughout the country was deteriorating.

After a series of use-of-force controversies, Blackwater changed its corporate name to Xe Services.

This report comes as the House Intelligence Committee investigates the CIA's hiring of Blackwater to be part of a program to kill or capture al-Qaida leaders. Over an eight-year period before it was cancelled in June, the death squad program had several lives. The CIA said the effort yielded no successes.

After the CIA shrunk its ranks in the post-Cold War period, the September 11, 2001 attacks compelled the agency to hire contractors to quickly fill its ranks for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.