INITIATIVES

The North Florida HIDTA implements coordinated law enforcement strategies that maximize resources to reduce illegal drug supply in designated areas and nationwide, while enhancing intelligence sharing among federal, state and local agencies.

Law Enforcement

The Combined Alachua Drug Enforcement Team (CADET) is a cooperative partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies encompassing Gainesville, located within Alachua County, Florida, and led by the Gainesville Police Department. The CADET shall:

  • Identify, collect intelligence/evidence on, and prosecute drug trafficking organizations/individuals responsible for the importation and/or distribution of drugs in Alachua County
  • Participate in domestic highway enforcement along the I-75 corridor
  • Seize all illegally obtained assets and proceeds and seize all illicit drugs associated with the organized trafficking, distribution, and/or manufacture of illicit drugs and controlled Substances

The Capital Area Drug Response & Evaluation (CADRE) initiative is a cooperative partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, which is led by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and encompasses Leon County. The CADRE initiative shall:

  • Pursue, disrupt, and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) by identifying, arresting, and prosecuting individuals or networks responsible for the importation and distribution of illicit drugs in Leon County
  • Impact a significant illicit drug and contraband trafficking route affecting the NFHIDTA AOR and other areas of the US
  • Conduct multi-agency investigations in which the primary focus will be to achieve a significant reduction in both violent crime and the overall distribution of drugs through the implementation of a cooperative strategy with other NFHIDTA initiatives
  • Seize all illegally obtained assets and proceeds and seize all illicit drugs associated with the organized trafficking, distribution, and/or manufacture of illicit drugs and controlled substances

The Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (FAST) is a cooperative partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, led by the US Marshals Service, encompassing most of the North Florida HIDTA’s 13-county area and Hamilton County. The FAST shall:

  • Pursue the most significant drug traffickers and violent fugitives with a drug nexus
  • Apprehend drug/violent fugitives and focus on the arrest of felony fugitives at the state, national, and international level
    • Fugitives with prior drug convictions who violate the conditions of their release program and are wanted again will be targeted
    • Emphasis will be placed on generating referrals and spin-off investigations
  • Seize all illegally obtained assets and proceeds and seize all illicit drugs associated with the organized trafficking, distribution, and/or manufacture of illicit drugs and controlled substances

The Gateway Initiative is a cooperative partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, which is led by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. The Gateway Initiative shall:

  • Implement a strategy to identify, collect intelligence/evidence on, and prosecute DTOs/individuals responsible for the importation and/or distribution of drugs in Columbia County
  • Participate in domestic highway enforcement, to include the Georgia/Florida border and the I-10 and I-75 corridors
  • Seize all illegally obtained assets and proceeds and seize all illicit drugs associated with the organized trafficking, distribution, and/or manufacture of illicit drugs and controlled substance

The North Florida HIDTA Task Force (NFHTF) is a cooperative partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, which is led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and primarily encompasses the North Florida HIDTA counties of Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns Counties. The NFHTF shall:

  • Pursue, disrupt, and dimantle major drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) by identifying, arresting, and prosecuting regional, national, and international networks, individuals, and/or DTOs responsible for the smuggling, transportation, and distribution of drugs and drug proceeds into and throughout the area
  • Conduct multi-agency investigations in which the primary focus will be to achieve a significant reduction in the overall distribution of drugs through the implementation of a cooperative strategy with other NFHIDTA initiatives and participating agencies
  • Seize all illegally obtained assets and proceeds associated with the organized trafficking and/or distribution of illicit drugs and controlled substances

Maritime and Land Investigation and Interdiction Initiative (MLIII) is jointly led by the US Coast Guard and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. The mission of the MLIII is to:

  • Disrupt the transshipment of currency and narcotics throughout the North Florida area via its waterways and land

  • Pursue, disrupt, and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations (DTOs)/individuals that use public  transportation facilities and routes, public and private vehicles/vessels (land and sea), ports and waterways, and parcel/package delivery services to conduct their illegal activities

  • Conduct multi-agency investigations in which the primary focus will be to achieve a significant reduction in the overall transportation of drugs through the implementation of a cooperative strategy with other NFHIDTA initiatives

  • Seize all illegally obtained assets and proceeds associated with the organized trafficking and/or distribution of illicit drugs and controlled substances

The Narcotics Overdose Death Investigations Task Force (NODITF) is a cooperative partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, which is led by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), and encompasses Duval County, Florida. The NODITF shall:

  • Identify, arrest, and prosecute drug traffickers and drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) responsible for providing illicit drugs that are the proximate cause of death of individuals in Duval County, Jacksonville, FL
  • Conduct investigations with the focus of charging the drug dealer with the Florida State Statute of “1st degree Murder” or the applicable Federal Code of causing death or great bodily harm by way of distribution of a dangerous drug and then leveraging these investigations to build conspiracy cases against DTOs that are involved
  • Pursue the maximum penalties by comparing the prosecutorial exposure of these felons and organizations with both the State Attorney’s Office and the US Attorney’s Office
  • Seize all illegally obtained assets and proceeds associated with the trafficking and/or distribution of illicit drugs and controlled substances

The Pharmaceutical Diversion and Designer Drug Squad (PDDDS) is a cooperative partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, which is led by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), and encompasses Baker, Clay, Duval, and Nassau Counties in Florida. The PDDDS shall:

  • Conduct long-term, complex investigations targeting drug traffickers responsible for obtaining, transporting, and distributing diverted pharmaceuticals and designer drugs, to include: 
    • medical and pharmacy personnel and professionals as well as facilities
    • focusing on violations of Florida Statutes, 381.986 investigations of organized criminal violations of physician orders for the medical use of THC cannabis, organized criminal conduct involving dispensing organizations, etc.
    • activities and investigations that focus on identifying emerging designer drug trends and/or new compounds
  • Provide assistance in target selection, case development, case strategy, and may assist in the preparation of necessary legal documents to promote the seizure of proceeds of the unlawful activity of major drug trafficking organizations (DTOs)
  • Seize all illegally obtained assets and proceeds associated with the organized trafficking and/or distribution of illicit drugs and controlled substances

The Tri-County Initiative is a cooperative partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, which is led by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and encompasses Flagler, Putnam, and St. Johns Counties. The Tri-County Initiative shall:

  • Identify, disrupt, and/or dismantle local, multi-state, and international DTOs primarily operating in Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns Counties
  • Conduct investigations targeting those DTOs/individuals responsible for transporting and distributing drugs and drug proceeds into and throughout the area
  • Seize all illegally obtained assets and proceeds associated with the organized trafficking and/or distribution of illicit drugs and controlled substances

The Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) is a cooperative partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, which is led by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and encompasses Marion County, Florida. The UDEST Initiative shall:

  • Pursue, disrupt, and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) by  identifying, arresting, and prosecuting individuals or networks responsible for the importation and distribution of illicit drugs in Marion County
  • Conduct multi-jurisdictional investigations in which the primary focus will be to achieve a significant reduction in both violent crime and the overall distribution of drugs through the implementation of a cooperative strategy with other NFHIDTA initiatives
  • Seize all illegally obtained assets and proceeds associated with the organized trafficking and/or distribution of illicit drugs and controlled substances

The Violent Crime Gangs Task Force (VCGTF) is a cooperative partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, which is led by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), and encompasses Baker, Clay, Duval, and Nassau Counties. The VCGTF shall:

  • Aim to reduce violent crime and drug trafficking committed by criminal or potential gangs/groups and criminal gang members/associates
    • Identify criminal or potential gangs/groups and gang members/associates, as defined by the Florida State Statute – §46, ch.874.03
    • Dismantle criminal gangs while seeking penalty enhancements for arrested gang members
  • Aim to reduce the illegal flow and possession of firearms by convicted felons of violent crimes and/or drug crimes
    • Compare the prosecutorial exposure of these felons with both the State Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office to pursue the maximum sentence
    • A majority of these felons are directly involved in the use, possession, and/or trafficking of illegal drugs
  • Seize all illegally obtained assets and proceeds associated with the organized trafficking and/or distribution of illicit drugs and controlled substances

The Violent Crime Narcotics Task Force (VCNTF) is a cooperative partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, which is led by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) and encompasses Baker, Clay, Duval, and Nassau Counties. The VCNTF shall:

  • Conduct long-term, complex investigations identifying, disrupting, and/or dismantling local, multi-state, and international DTOs/individuals responsible for drug crimes and drug related violence in Jacksonville
  • Seize all illegally obtained assets and proceeds associated with the organized trafficking and/or distribution of illicit drugs and controlled substances

INTELLIGENCE

CGICs are an interagency collaboration focused on the immediate collection, management, and analysis of crime gun evidence, such as shell casings, in real-time, to identify shooters, disrupt criminal activity, and to prevent future violence. CGICs rely on an ongoing collaboration between the ATF, local police department, the local crime laboratory, probation and parole, local police gang units, prosecuting attorneys, U.S. Attorney’s Office, crime analysts, community groups, and academic organizations.

Click here for Crime Gun Intelligence

The North Florida HIDTA Investigative Support Center (ISC) is a cooperative partnership of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and contract analysts, led by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO), and encompasses all North Florida HIDTA counties. The ISC shall:

  • Remain collocated with other NFHIDTA initiatives
  • Be comprised of collocated federal, state, and local representatives from law enforcement agencies, all of whom provide access to their respective databases, the Florida National Guard, and contract positions through the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (fiduciary)
  • Support law enforcement agencies in their effort to identify, disrupt, and/or dismantle DTOs, MLOs, criminal groups, individuals, and criminal gangs and gun violators working in and through the NFHIDTA
    • actively collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information on the targets of investigations and on the scope and dynamics of criminal activity
  • Support law enforcement investigations through the use of tactical, operational, and strategic analyses
  • Participate in various intelligence and information sharing with groups such as the Florida Intelligence Unit and other local Intel sharing groups, EPIC, HSIN Intel, and other HIDTAs
  • Produce intelligence products such as the Annual Drug Threat Assessment and other single scope intelligence briefs and assessments
  • Provide event and subject deconfliction services through the Case Explorer program and conduct routine trainings on the program to participants and others in the region requesting access
  • Liaise with the collocated Northeast Florida Fusion Center
  • Collocate with the Information Technology Department to support all initiatives

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SUPPORT

The North Florida HIDTA Management & Coordination (M&C) initiative is a cooperative partnership of local law enforcement agency members and contractors. The M&C initiative, currently headquartered in Jacksonville, FL, was first designated in 2001 and oversees all North Florida HIDTA initiatives operating within its 13-county area of responsibility (AOR).

Members of the M&C initiative work in conjunction with the Executive Board and the Oversight, Finance, and Training committees monitoring the progress of the North Florida HIDTA initiatives throughout the year to ensure performance targets are being met. The M&C initiative oversees all aspects of the HIDTA’s activities, including (but not limited to):

  • Quarterly Executive Board meetings
  • Comprehensive annual reviews of each initiative Quarterly meetings with initiative commanders
  • Representing the HIDTA at community, regional, and national events and forums
  • Overseeing the quarterly reporting and analysis of PMP data
  • Preparing and submitting the Annual Budget Request (ABR) to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
  • Supporting North Florida HIDTA initiatives through financial management and disbursement of funds, purchasing equipment, and inventorying items purchased with HIDTA funds
  • Ensuring compliance with applicable grant laws, regulations, and guidelines

The M&C initiative also supports other activities as directed by the Executive Board, consistent with all applicable HIDTA policies and guidelines.

The Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) is an initiative designed to enhance public health public safety collaboration and to strengthen and improve efforts to reduce drug overdoses within 21 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTAs) across 34 states.

With support from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the ORS initiative supports innovation at the local, state, and regional level.

The mission of the ORS is to reduce fatal and non-fatal drug overdose rates by improving information sharing across agencies and supporting evidence-based interventions. The four strategic directions that shape the boundaries of the ORS are: law enforcement, response, treatment and recovery, and prevention.

Click here for Overdose Response Strategy

North Florida HIDTA offers the most up-to-date and progressive training courses, all of which are specifically designed to enhance drug enforcement efforts.

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