While the proponents of legalizing narcotics would argue that drug use is a victimless crime, those who are sworn to serve and protect a community know from their daily experiences that drugs are unquestionably the catalyst for the lion's share of criminal activity that occurs in their jurisdiction.   Prostitution, robbery, burglary, home invasion, car jacking and even murder can more often than not have a connection with the use, sale, or purchase of illegal narcotics.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Section remained committed to combating street level narcotics and vice related crimes.  The section enjoyed great success during 2008 by targeting specific areas of the county based on trends and information gleaned from the agency's bi-weekly Coordinated Crime Control meetings.

During 2008 the unit was comprised of three undercover investigative squads, a TIPS Squad, a Parcel Interception Team, and The West Orange Task Force.  These groups conducted investigations realted to their areas of expertise, regularly sharing intelligence information that would lead to significant street level arrests. 

During 2008 the agency's street level narcotics endeavors led to 1,290 arrests, 317 vice related arrestes, and the investigation of 1,277 citizen tips.  The squad's 2008 investigations resulted in the seizure of $375,213.00, the recovery of 235 firearms, and the service of 182 narcotics search warrants at county businesses and residences.

2008 Narcotics Seizures 36.63 kilograms of powdered cocaine 895.8 grams of crack cocaine 5,892.8 pounds of marijuana 988 marijuana plants 777.1 grams of heroin 1,347. 6 grams of methamphetamine $18,383,955 total estimate of all narcotics recovered duirng 2008

Drug Information/Parent Resources