Arrests Solve Only So Much
Drug Market Interventions are a nine-step process that doesn’t end after the dealers have signed their contracts.
The call-in is the culmination of previous steps, which include crime mapping, undercover operations and mobilizing community commitment. What happens next is just as important, said Roubicek.
Neighbors will now report to police if they find out that the second-chance dealers resume selling, and police will quickly respond. With officers still doing crime mapping to identify any new sellers who might pop up to take over the business, police will be able to quickly quash those efforts, Pettey said.
“It’s here in Tucson that I have gained respect for the Police Department. I see how much do for us and it makes me want to continue the effort,” Donna Perry, a resident of the Coronado Heights Neighborhood, said in a text message to Pettey after the call-in.
The last two steps enforcement and follow-up are underway. TPD has arrested the three people who did not accept their invitations to the call-in, after they received notification that they’d been arrested for selling again.
There’s a strong set of checks and balances in place to make sure the DMI candidates will be successful, including auto-alerts of any new arrests, Pettey said.
Asked about the possibility of a worst-case scenario, such as an overdose resulting from a dealer still selling while out on a second chance, Pettey said:
Put Surveillance On The Victim
While Deater acknowledged that putting surveillance on an overdose victim is not necessarily a popular tactic, he attested to its effectiveness. When we started following victims, we were able to find the three or four dealers who were responsible for the vast majority of overdoses in that particular area, he said. But the only way we found them was by watching the victim go straight back to them.
One of the benefits of following a victim is that, first of all, youll likely prevent another overdose and save the life of that person. By following the victim, you have a chance to identify the dealer and possibly even witness a drug deal, which would allow you to arrest the dealer and hopefully lead to a felony conviction, said Deater.
The initial reaction of many officers and leadership is that surveying a victim requires even more manpower. However, Deater argues that this tactic often cuts investigation time by half or more, and, more importantly, often leads to a positive outcome.
Many officers dont have time to conduct an honest investigation because they cant even keep up with the overdose calls, he said. But if agencies allow officers to follow victims, more often than not that person is going to lead officers straight back to the dealer in a matter of hours.
Police: Suspects La Porte Drug Dealers Get Time Out From Operation Playpen
- STAFF REPORTS
La PORTE A drug investigation into narcotics sales in La Porte, nicknamed Project Playpen, left two suspected dealers taking a time out in the La Porte County Jail last week, according to police.
The LaPorte County Drug Task Force, the Fugitive Apprehension Street Team , and La Porte Street Crimes Unit effected two arrests as the result of residential search warrants that were executed in the city of La Porte.
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Drug Investigation: Police Techniques And Tactics
July 24, 2021Uritox
Ever wondered what to do if you suspect the police are investigating you for drugs? This blog post will detail the different actions people should take when they believe they are under investigation.
We will discuss how to know if the police are investigating you and offer advice on what steps to take during an investigation. By understanding how drug investigations work, crime suspects can arm themselves with the knowledge to help them avoid trouble down the road.
Additional Reporting Information To Consider
When reporting drug activity, it will also help to keep the following in mind:
- To further ensure anonymity, callers can dial *67 before calling any agency or organization. This blocks the number of the caller.
- Reporting activity to the local police is also an option, but anonymity may be harder to keep.
- It is important to remember, when making a report, you may be asked to provide personal information, but this is completely voluntary. You have the right to remain anonymous if that is what you want.
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Do Not Consent To A Search
Unless an officer shows up at your door with a warrant, you are under no obligation to allow them to enter.
However, there are some situations where the police may enter your homeeven by force if necessary. These include but are not limited to if they believe someone is in danger, if they are pursuing a suspect, or if they believe evidence is being destroyed. In these cases, they can knock down your door and enter.
Even if the police enter by force, make sure to clearly say that you do not consent to a search.
What Is The Goal Of A Drug Investigation
The drug investigation unit at a local police department typically has as its chief goal the conducting of investigations with the intent of accomplishing two aims:
- arresting drug dealers
- taking or seizing assets gained through criminal and illegal measures by those same drug dealers
In many localities, law enforcement primarily seeks to direct their efforts toward wholesale or mid-level drug dealers, in particular. However, a drug investigation could encompass the arrest of street-level drug dealers, closing “crack houses,” and/or arresting large-scale, kilogram-level drug dealers, as well. These drug investigation units investigate all types of criminal narcotics dealings. As a result, all narcotics such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, and illegal drugs obtained by prescription are all subject to drug investigations.
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In A Small Town The Police Will Target Any Volume Drug Dealer
If its an undercover operation conducted by the West Justice County District Attorneys Office, or its just the West County Police and it is county wide, they will target a higher volume drug dealer. The scope of the operation depends on the jurisdiction.
Interviewer: Are small volume dealers paranoia is justified if they live in a smaller town?
Mike Kramer: Yes, they have reason to be.
Supply Of A Controlled Drug
The amount of drugs is less important if you are caught actually supplying them. Even if you only supply a tiny amount of drugs to someone, you could still be charged with the offence.
The Police will look for the same sort of evidence as for PWITS, but because actual supply needs to have taken place they will also use other types of evidence. This could be CCTV or hidden cameras, or there may be undercover officers in places where drug supply is known to happen. They might even use listening devices to record conversations. A common example would be in the car of a suspect. These recordings are allowed to be used as evidence in court. However, the police are not allowed to intercept telephone conversations.
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Is There A Drug House In Your Neighbourhood
Detachment Commander of the Vernon RCMP, Supt. Shawna Baher, speaking to Block Watch coordinators at the BWS-BC 2018 Training Symposium.
Why drug houses are hard to identify:
- They blend in: A drug house wants to stay in business as long as possible, so they try not to stand out. Drug houses can look like any other house in the neighbourhood, and they can pop up in any part of the city or province.
- Rental Units: Although rental properties are more vulnerable, this should not reflect poorly on tenants in general. Heres why theyre targeted:
- Rental houses make it harder for police to track the occupant. Tenants with no criminal history are often set up as the ideal primary renter until their troublesome associates move in.
- Drug traffickers or producers dont like to use their own homes since these risk being seized by the government through civil forfeiture.
- Absentee landlords are perfect targets for potential drug houses because, being absent, they miss the signs and fail to evict problematic tenants.
Reporting on Activity: You may have different suspicious activity to report depending on the type of drug house. Each of the below types come with separate Criminal Code infractions and require different strategies by police and bylaw officers.
What you can do:
Do Not Trust The Police
Many people falsely believe that the police are not allowed to lie. In reality, lying to suspects is one of their most effective techniques. An undercover DEA agent or police officer does not need to admit that theyre a cop if you ask them. A police officer seeking to enter your home may kindly ask if they can step inside, but what they really mean is: can I search your home for illegal drugs?
Despite any claims that they are acting in your interests, when it comes to drug investigations, the police have ulterior motives. Remember that federal drug investigators often team up with local cops. The municipal or state police officer stopping you and asking if you need help with your car could be participating in a drug investigation.
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What To Do If You Are Being Investigated For Drugs
A drug investigation agency or a prosecutor must establish beyond reasonable doubt your involvement in the drug conviction that you conspired to commit or committed the drug offense. If you find yourself facing drug charges and being investigated, it is imperative to consult a skilled and experienced lawyer to avoid any hassle and unwanted repercussions.
It is also highly likely that what you say or do will be taken out of context. Let your lawyer take charge and do the talking to ensure that your rights are protected and secure a safe dismissal of all charges against you.
What About Vehicle Searches
You may also deny consent to a search of your vehicle. However, the police do not need a warrant to search your vehicle. All they need is probable cause to believe that they will find contraband.
Tell the officers you do not consent to the search, but do not panic if they search your car without consent. In many cases, what they find will not be admitted because the initial traffic stop was made without a valid reason or probable cause wasnt established.
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Surveilling A Person With Gps Devices
One of the more common ways that the police gather information is by using GPS technology to track someone’s movements. This technology can be used in various ways however, generally speaking, the police will use it to track suspects’ movements.
Using this information, they will gather evidence against someone and often use it to construct a case against them. The logistics of GPS tracking are simple the police will attach either a device or an electronic chip onto the suspect’s vehicle.
It will then track their movements and record data such as where they went, how long they stayed there, and how fast they were going.
‘i Saw How Police Are Cracking Down On County Lines Drug Gangs In Brighton’
Exclusive
Argus reporter Olivia joined Sussex Police on a drug warrant in Brighton during county lines intensification week
AS POLICE launched a national crackdown on county lines drug gangs, Argus reporter Olivia Marshall was invited to accompany Sussex officers as they raided a property in Brighton.
When I was offered the chance to attend a drug raid with the police, I was apprehensive.
Embarrassingly, my main understanding of policing comes from television shows such as 24 hours In Police Custody and dramas such as Line Of Duty.
Officers from Sussex Police carried out the warrant as part of county lines intensification week
So on arrival at Brighton’s John Street Police Station, I had little idea what to expect.
I was met by Sergeant Richard Penrose, from the Tactical Enforcement Unit at Sussex Police, and taken to a briefing room.
- READ MORE: Three arrested at raid inBrighton as part of county lines intensification week
Officers were told a raid – or “warrant” as they refer to it – was to be carried out as part of a national crackdown on county lines drug dealing gangs.
Sussex Police preparing for the warrant in Brighton
These are urban dealers who sell to customers in more rural areas via dedicated phone lines, hence “county lines”.
They are notorious for exploiting children to carry drugs and forcing vulnerable people to let them use their homes to conceal or deal drugs.
Police Sergeant Penrose
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Wiretapping Against Drug Suspects
Wiretapping is another popular way that the police gather information related to drug investigations. It is generally done using a device that will usually be placed on someone’s car or place of work.
It will then allow the police to listen in on their conversations and gather information about them. The police may even use a secret recording tool to record what they are saying as well.
Narcotics Enforcement Investigators At Work
Drug investigators are law enforcement officers whose main duties are related to the investigation of criminal activities connected to the sale, use, and distribution of illegal drugs.
Narcotics investigators must possess a unique skillset, as they are required to initiate and obtain intelligence of suspected illegal drug dealers and users which, many times, involves covert operations and undercover drug stings. Their work involves understanding the drug chain, from the highest-level suppliers to street-level dealers, and developing and maintaining contacts, interviewing witnesses, and interviewing the victims of drug abuse.
This investigative work also includes obtaining search warrants or arrest warrants, and obtaining warrants from judges to utilize certain types of surveillance activities, such as electronic monitoring devices or wiretapping equipment.
Narcotics investigators maintain close partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, thereby improving the exchange of information and increasing the effectiveness of their investigations.
Many times, drug investigators develop and coordinate a number of community-based and school-based drug education programs, which are designed to create awareness of the dangers of drugs.
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Technology Offers New Ways To Lift Crime Scene Latent Prints
Responding to the opioid crisis has been enormously taxing on law enforcement agencies. For the last two years, before I recently retired, our unit was running heroin overdoses every day, said Deater. We were required to respond to every fatal and non-fatal overdose, which takes up a lot of manpower and hours.
To make matters worse, officers were spending a lot of time responding and completing related paperwork, but not enough time investigating the case or trying to locate and arrest the dealers who were selling the drugs. Law enforcement must find better ways to stop the flow of drugs on the streets and effectively target dealers.
Do Not Destroy Evidence
If you hear the police knocking on your door, your first instinct might be to flush contraband down the toilet. But destroying evidence is a crime, and its unlikely that you will be able to destroy everything before the police catch you. Then, youll find yourself facing two charges.
In addition, if the police suspect you are destroying evidence inside your home, they will have the authority to enter without your consent or a warrant.
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How Drug Dealers Get Caught
According to the United States Drug Enforcement Agency , the federal government spends about $15 billion a year investigating drug offenses. State and local government agencies spend another $25 billion, for a total of $40 billion a year, which equates to $500 per second.
Who Investigates Drug Crimes?
The DEA works alongside the FBI, CIA and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to fight drug crimes at both the national and international level.
State and local police agencies investigate drug offenses within their jurisdiction and often work together to form task forces in hopes of sharing resources and knowledge.
In Monroe County, New York, the drug task force is known as Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, or GRANET.
HOW A DRUG DEALER BECOMES A SUSPECT The first step in most significant drug arrests is developing a suspect. It is possible that a traffic stop coincidentally leads to a major drug bust, but that is very unlikely at the highest level.
More often, word on the street or unreasonably expensive lifestyles of particular individuals gives police suspicion. Investigators will spend weeks, months, and sometimes even years investigating an individual or group for a case.
For instance, I represented a client following a joint DEA/FBI investigation that spanned 5 years, totaling 6,100 man hours. The differing time frame results from the severity of the case, criminal background of the individual and types of drugs, among other factors.
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The Police Do Try To Avoid Publicity When Making Drugs Arrests
Interviewer: Thats what we see on TV. When the police go to arrest somebody, do they just show up and arrest the person? Do they try to keep the arrests low key?
Mike Kramer: It depends upon the level of the case. If its a normal automobile stop and they conduct the search of the car, and they find a small quantity of drugs, they arrest right then and there.
If its a drug investigation, the police would proceed to obtain a search warrant, they enter a house and depending upon what they found in the house and who is present at the time, they would make the arrest.
If its a drug sale and it is part of the type of investigation I previously described lasting three to six months, once the police officer surfaces, they swear out arrest warrants for a whole slew of persons and those are the ones with highest publicity you see in the papers.
For example, when you read about 16 people arrested or 20 people arrested, those are usually the result of an undercover operation. The hottest cases are those harder cases to prove but they get the most publicity.
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