RCTA Basic Narcotics Investigations

The class is open to all federal, state and/or local officers who are currently assigned to drug enforcement or who have been nominated to work drug enforcement within the next year. Priority will be given to applicants with less than one-year experience working narcotics. 

Course Introduction –

The criminal activity attributed to the drug subculture is more pervasive and menacing then ever. Drug related criminal activity accounts for one of the largest, single personal threats to public safety. The challenges in addressing and responding to the nation’s drug problem are daunting, and more difficult and dangerous than ever before.

Course Objective –

The objective of this course is to expose the student to the fundamental duties

and responsibilities of a narcotic investigator. This course will equip the student

with the necessary tools to identify, target, and successfully investigate criminal

activity associated with the drug subculture within their jurisdiction.

The course is designed to enhance the skill level of all law enforcement officers

dealing with drug related criminal activity. Uniformed patrol officers, proactive

investigators, correctional officers, drug education/intervention personnel, and

probation and parole officers will gain valuable information vital to reducing drug

related criminal activity.

Course Topics Include –

1. Proactive drug investigations

a) Information initiated investigations

b) Specific targeted investigations

c) Vertical drug conspiracy concept

d) The drug trafficking subculture (purchase/repackage/resell)

- selling drugs from fixed locations v. drug delivering

2. Proactive investigative techniques & strategies

a) Identifying and targeting drug related criminal activity

b) Investigative planning

- goal setting, objectives, methodology

c) Developing probable cause

- corroboration & circumstantial evidence

d) Drug investigation techniques

- intel data bases to pen registers and everything in between

e) Networking

f) Surveillance

- case making & prosecution

3. Informants

a) Development/Management/Use

b) Informant files & contracts

c) Classifying informants

d) Concept of reliability

e) Integrity issues & ethical dilemmas

4. Search warrants

a) Basic format

b) Statement of expertise

c) Facts & Opinion

- connecting the dots

d) Investigation & informant documentation

- preserving an informant’s confidentiality

e) Corroborating informant information

- proactive use of informants

- multiple independent tips

- statement against penal interest

- confirming predictions

- suspicious activity

f) Exculpatory information

5. Operation management and preparation

a) Game plan introduction

b) Conducting buy/walk operations

c) Undercover police officer operations

6. Anticipating and confronting violent acts

a) Presentation of actual case scenarios

- classroom scenario (preparation of buy/walk game plan)

7. Drug trends/Identification/Pharmacology

a) Current regional drug trends

- breakout groups

b) Fentanyl

c) Butane hash oil (BHO)

8. Courtroom testimony

a) Characteristics of effective testimony

b) Expert drug testimony

c) Defense tactics