Orlando Police Department
Drug Enforcement Division

Hours of Operation: Flexible
Administration: 407-246-2490 during 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Orlando Police Department Drug Enforcement Division is commanded by a Police Captain, and there are two investigative sections. These sections are the Uniform Drug Enforcement Section, and the Undercover Drug Investigation Section. Each section consists of specialized units that investigate crimes related to their specialty:

UNIFORM DRUG ENFORCEMENT SECTION

The Uniform Drug Enforcement Unit consists of one sergeant and ten officers. The Uniform Drug Enforcement Unit concept was formed to work problem drug areas in uniform and to provide uniformed assistance to the undercover drug detectives.

The goals of the Uniform Drug Enforcement Unit are to:

• Reduce open street drug sales in identified areas

• Address all assigned citizen drug complaints

• Provide uniformed assistance to detectives in making arrests and executing search warrants

• Restore and maintain order within the community through aggressive enforcement of the various state and local laws

In order to achieve these goals, members of “Uniform Drugs,” as the unit is known, utilize various law enforcement techniques, such as traffic enforcement, state laws, local ordinances, buy-bust and reverse operations, surveillance, etc. Officers assigned to the Uniform Drug Unit also receive regular training in commonly used tactics such as dynamic vehicle takedowns and search warrant service.

UNDERCOVER DRUG ENFORCEMENT SECTION

The Undercover Drug Unit consists of one sergeant and nine detectives. This unit is responsible for street-level, and mid to upper-level drug investigation. The Undercover Drug Unit addresses all narcotics complaints and assists other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in a cooperative effort to improve the quality of life in Orlando's communities.

The goals of the Undercover Drug Unit are to:

• Reduce street level drug sales within the City of Orlando

• Address citizen complaints received from Crime Line, the Drug Tip Line, other phone calls, or direct tips

• Identify and apprehend drug dealers through various investigative techniques

• Enhance the quality of life through drug investigation by maintaining safe and livable neighborhoods for the citizens within the City of Orlando

The Undercover Drug Unit is able to achieve these goals utilizing a number of intelligence and enforcement strategies including working with the community and schools to arrest and prosecute those individuals involved in illicit drug enterprises. For further information, please contact the Undercover Drug Unit at (407) 246-2490.

PARCEL INTERDICTION UNIT

The Parcel Interdiction Unit is part of the Drug Enforcement Division Undercover Drug Investigation Section. The Parcel Interdiction Unit also has a narcotics detecting K-9 named “Gunny,” a German shorthaired pointer (right), and the unit is responsible for the investigation of illegal contraband through package delivery services. This team also assists other agencies in the interception of narcotics packages in their respective jurisdictions.

PRESCRIPTION FRAUD UNIT

The Prescription Fraud Unit consists of one detective and is part of the Drug Enforcement Division Undercover Drug Investigation Section. The Pharmaceutical crimes unit is responsible for the enforcement of laws relating to the abuse and diversion of prescription drugs. The Prescription Fraud Unit concept was formed to combat the overwhelming abuse of prescription drugs throughout the City of Orlando. This unit has developed a website: "Rx Fraud" to assist in the enforcement strategies. The "Rx Fraud" site shows photos of arrestees and is useful for pharmacies and other agencies to identify possible suspects.

The goals of the Prescription Fraud Unit are to:

• Educate and inform the public of this abuse

• Inform medical professionals of the abusers

• Proactively arrest individuals who "doctor shop" and commit prescription fraud and scams

• Proactively investigate medical professionals who over-prescribe controlled substances

It is the Prescription Fraud Unit's objective to educate the medical professional about the various scams, prescription fraud, and wide-range abuse. The detective assigned to the Prescription Fraud Unit is available to train medical professionals in hospitals, doctors' offices, medical centers, and other related sites.

For more information about possible abusers or our educational opportunities, please call 407-246-2930.

STREET CRIMES UNIT

The Street Crimes Unit consists of one sergeant and four detectives. The Street Crimes Unit is responsible for enforcing laws regarding street level prostitution, escorts, and exposure/lewdness. This unit addresses all vice complaints and assists other local and state agencies in a cooperative effort to improve the quality of life in Orlando communities.

The goals of the Street Crimes Unit are to:

• Reduce open street prostitution in identified areas

• Reduce open exposures/lewd acts in identified areas

• Reduce the demand for prostitutes by eliminating “Johns” utilizing reverse sting operations

• Reduce Escort Services in identified areas

• Reduce open street drug sales using undercover detectives in identified areas

• To restore and maintain order within the community through aggressive enforcement of the local and state laws pertaining to prostitution, lewd acts, and drug sales

In order to achieve these goals, members of the Street Crimes Unit use various law enforcement techniques such as undercover operations, reverse stings, and surveillance.

The Street Crimes Unit has also created a website: "Busted" to assist in the enforcement strategies. The creation of the City’s "Busted" website has proven to be a valuable tool in reducing crime. Citizens can access this website and view photos of persons arrested in their community. This not only informs the citizens that the area is being actively worked, but also affords them the ability to notify the Street Crimes Unit when a repeat offender returns to their neighborhood.

The Street Crimes Unit has implemented a “Vice Line,” (407) 423-VICE (8423). Individuals may leave anonymous tips on any vice related crimes, or they may leave their name and a number for a detective to call them back.

For further information, please call the Street Crimes Unit at (407) 246-2490.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

In an effort to promote drug abuse awareness, members of the Drug Enforcement Division conduct presentations to local businesses, school children, and civic organizations. The presentations are designed to introduce the officers and their respective units' specialized equipment, including Gunny and Buster, our narcotics detecting canines.

For further information about our educational opportunities, please call 407-246-2490.