The Orange County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division is responsible for detecting, investigating and prosecuting those persons that violate the laws in regards to illegal narcotics.  This includes production, manufacturing, distribution, transportation and chronic use of illegal drugs; and the associated money laundering of drug proceeds commonly associated with drug/gang related offenses.

Investigators assigned to this unit are highly skilled and trained in the techniques used to fight illegal drug trafficking and abuse.  Narcotics Detectives make undercover purchases, controlled purchases, conduct reverse operations and stings, and conduct surveillance as well as gather intelligence. The Detectives assigned to this division work closely with federal and other agencies to combat drug trafficking in our county.

In addition to working with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Special Services Division also works with the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program (HIDTA) Task Force. The mission of the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program is to enhance and coordinate America’s drug-control efforts among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in order to eliminate or reduce drug trafficking and its harmful consequences in critical regions of the United States. The mission includes coordination efforts to reduce the production, manufacturing, distribution, transportation and chronic use of illegal drugs, as well as the associated money laundering of drug proceeds.

The Narcotics Division also assists the Criminal Investigation Division with all major crimes that occurs within Orange County or whose illegal activities adversely affect the citizens of our county.

Investigations performed by the Narcotics Division require various techniques such as surveillance, under-cover operations, information gathering and analysis, and the service of search and arrest warrants.  With approximately 24 miles of Interstate 10 within Orange County, the Narcotics Division also contributes their efforts working criminal interdiction.

MISSION STATEMENT

To investigate, arrest, dismantle and successfully prosecute all narcotics trafficking organizations involved in the manufacturing, transportation, distribution, selling and use of all illegal drugs in or being transported through Orange County.  To seize all illegal drugs, cash and other assets associated with and supportive of the illicit drug trade; to investigate, arrest, dismantle and successfully prosecute all money laundering organizations supporting these and other illegal activities.

OPERATIONAL GOALS

1. Increase the number of arrests, drug seizures, property seizures and prosecutions.
2. Increase the street level narcotics investigations and intelligence gathering.
3. Provide investigative intelligence to local/state/federal law enforcement agencies.
4. Increase Narcotics Division members to be more successful in combating narcotics within Orange

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