News

2023

Florida Highway Patrol Criminal Interdiction Unit Seized Over $110,000,000 In Contraband In 2022




K9 Dog next to confiscated contraband

~ FHP conducted 1,025 felony arrests, confiscated over 5,000 pounds of narcotics during the calendar year ~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) are actively working to make a safer Florida.

FHP’s Criminal Interdiction Unit (CIU) – which runs operations designed to uncover nefarious drug activity along Florida’s roadways, along with rooting out illegal human trafficking and smuggling efforts – provides direct evidence of the ongoing success of the department’s mission objective.

In 2022, FHP CIU conducted 1,025 felony arrests on 2,187 felony charges, and confiscated over 5,000 pounds of narcotics and currency valued at $110,400,681. Included in the seizures was over $5 million in U.S. currency, used by these criminals to fund their operations and live extravagantly while others suffer.

FHP CIU also seized 204 weapons and inhibited the smuggling of 148 undocumented immigrants during its yearlong operations across Florida’s 67 counties.

While marijuana was the most-seized drug in terms of gross weight, 722 pounds of cocaine were confiscated, as were 649 pounds of other drugs. Other drugs included fentanyl, oxycodone, xylazine, and ecstasy/molly, among others.

“The Florida Highway Patrol represents more than traffic enforcement and safety,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner. “The men and women dedicated to keeping Florida communities safe are Florida’s finest. As they patrol the many roadways across the state, they confiscate dangerous narcotics and weapons. They amplify Governor DeSantis’s leadership on law and order. They keep you safe, and they produce results.”

The above arrests and totals reflect the CIU division’s activity, but do not encompass every aspect of arrests and seizures that happen across the totality of the Florida Highway Patrol.

The above arrests and totals reflect the CIU division’s activity, but do not encompass every aspect of arrests and seizures that happen across the totality of the Florida Highway Patrol.

FHP CIU undergoes regular, intensive training to stay up to date on tactics used by criminals, such as how to uncover hidden compartments in vehicles or how to spot human trafficking/smuggling.

CIU’s K-9 unit requires five months of initial training, following by more rigorous work to make an effective team. CIU has also been trained on how to provide first-aid training to K-9s.

CIU performed three major joint ops last year in Escambia, Sumter, and Columbia counties. In addition to weapon/drug confiscation and combatting human trafficking/smuggling, CIU can boast to:

  • Finding murderers with in-state and out-of-state warrants
  • Recovering stolen merchandise
  • Uncovering identity and social security theft
  • Halting diesel fuel theft and discovering gas scams
  • Contributing to rescue efforts and traffic control during Hurricane Ian and other disasters

“The Criminal Interdiction Unit is a group of highly trained, highly motivated, and very dedicated individuals who make a great force for good within the Florida Highway Patrol,” said Major Sandy Mandell, FHP Bureau Commander of Criminal Investigations. “They consistently go above and beyond to make it safer for Florida’s residents and visitors.”

TROOP HIGHLIGHTS Troop A (ten-county area in the Panhandle encompassing Pensacola, Panama City) 23 weapons seized, 39 arrests 2,355 g cocaine; 1,335 g meth; 46,674 g other drugs $813k total confiscated drug value 17 smuggled immigrants Troop B (nine-county area encompassing Gainesville, Ocala) 16 weapons, 175 arrests 3,779 g cocaine $638k total confiscated drug value $111,114 in stolen merchandise 47 smuggled immigrants Troop C (seven-county area encompassing Tampa, Lakeland) 22 weapons seized, 163 arrests 16,518 g cocaine; 49,355 g marijuana; 2,530 g heroin; 2,900 g meth; 7,390 g other drugs $3.9m total drug value confiscated 66 smuggled immigrants Troop D (six-county area encompassing Orlando, Daytona) 43 weapons seized, 119 arrests 229,966 g marijuana; 87,517 g cocaine; 72,718 g meth $18.5m total confiscated drug value Troop E (two-county area encompassing Miami, Florida Keys) 9 weapons seized, 69 arrests 134,604 g marijuana; 78,991 g other drugs $7.1m total confiscated drug value Troop F (ten-county area encompassing Sarasota, Bradenton, Naples, Fort Myers) 16 weapons seized, 67 arrests 65,118 g marijuana; 9,859 g cocaine $2.3m total confiscated drug value 4 smuggled immigrants Troop G (nine-county area encompassing Jacksonville, St. Augustine) 17 weapons seized, 75 arrests 685,952 g marijuana; 48,086 g cocaine; 92,521 g other drugs $20m total confiscated drug value 7 smuggled immigrants Troop H (eight-county area encompassing Tallahassee) 22 weapons seized, 105 arrests 143,478 g marijuana; 19,645 g meth; 63,742 g other drugs $5.4m total confiscated drug value 7 smuggled immigrants Troops I and J (North and South Florida Commercial Vehicle Enforcement) 8 weapons seized, 59 arrests 15,584 g marijuana; 3,421 g cocaine $679k total confiscated drug value Troop K (Turnpike, Parkway, Expressway enforcement) 23 weapons, 70 arrests 155,253 g cocaine; 62,871 g marijuana; 16,807 g heroin $19.5m total confiscated drug value Troop L (six-county area encompassing Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie) 5 weapons seized, 63 arrests 7,029 g marijuana $146,094 total confiscated drug value

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The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) provides highway safety and security through excellence in service, education, and enforcement. Learn more on our website.

The Florida Highway Patrol strives to achieve core values of courtesy, service, and protection. It is FHP’s job to help ensure the safety and welfare of millions of Florida’s residents and visitors every day.

To learn more about FHP or how to become one of Florida’s Finest, visit BeATrooper.com