CIP Canine Unit

The Contraband Interdiction Program (CIP) of the Florida Department of Transportation is an active law enforcement component in Governor Jeb Bush's Florida Drug Control Strategy. The CIP is committed to work with other federal, state, and local agencies to reduce the supply of drugs in Florida which is one of the main goals of the Strategy.

Currently, the CIP is comprised of a Commander (Captain), 2 field supervisors (Sergeants), and 15 officers. The CIP operates with a “team concept”, deploying the teams strategically throughout the state to maximize enforcement efforts.

The mission of the CIP is to patrol the interstate system and other major highways utilized by commercial motor vehicles. Officers in the CIP enforce all state laws and applicable federal motor carrier laws. In most cases, it is the “routine stop” that becomes the catalyst in the detection of other criminal violations. The training, experience, and specialized equipment utilized by the CIP contribute to the officer's ability to detect criminal activity and illegal contraband. CIP members also assist in mentoring fellow FDOT/MCC officers by providing one-on-one training to develop the interdiction skills of those officers. The mentoring program increases the interdiction enforcement efforts without directly dedicating additional officers to the CIP.

There are several tools of the trade for the CIP. Equipment utilized by the CIP include 8 certified drug detector canines, fiber optic scopes, electronic detector devices, stethoscopes, scales, drug test kits, and various other tools. This equipment is beneficial in assisting the CIP officers in detecting sophisticated compartments that smugglers use to conceal their illicit cargo. Without the proper tools and training, many of the concealed compartments found by the CIP might have gone undetected to the naked eye.

The CIP annually participates in various multi-agency and multi-state enforcement operations coordinated with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Since its inception in 2001, the CIP is credited with over 1,428 drug arrests as of April 1, 2007.