Every smart officer knows that drug runners can be extremely clever and creative. Some of their hiding schemes can be pretty elaborate, involving complex wiring systems that may require a series of things to be done to complete circuits and open hidden compartments where the goods are secreted. It’s important to stay up on those and to share information when you find a new hiding place and concealment process. [For a few, read “Six vehicle concealment alerts shared by P-1 members”]
But in addition to remembering to keep an eye out for indicators that may reveal an elaborate concealment system in a vehicle – things like heavily scratched screws in a location where screws aren’t normally removed, abnormal welding trails in the bed of a pick-up truck or a car trunk, odd and unaccounted for wiring inside a vehicle, etc. – you should also remember that drug runners can be masters of hiding behind the obvious. This bust is a perfect example.
Realistically consider this question: Do I completely drop my guard and turn off my ‘contraband sensing radar’ when I stop:
-- An elderly couple driving a motor home cross-country?
-- A tow truck driving from one state to another?
-- A limousine?
-- A truck hauling a horse trailer?
-- A cab with a passenger driving on the interstate from one major city to another?
-- A refrigerated semi?
-- A car with anti-drug, pro-law enforcement and other “good guy” window and bumper stickers?
-- A disabled driver?
-- Clean-cut, polite juveniles?
-- A couple with children?
-- How about someone at Christmas time carrying a load of wrapped presents in the trunk? (Read this news story!)
All of the above have been involved in drug busts, and the list goes on and on.
When it comes to busting drug runners, a few key principles and practices that can make the difference between letting a load slip between your fingers and nailing a bust that can make your career.
• Don’t immediately believe what you see. What you see, may not be what you’ve really got. Same goes with what you hear.
• Question. Listen. Rephrase. Question again. Be curious.
• Take the time and energy needed to look beyond the ticket and don’t make speed writing your goal. Is there anything here that might indicate you’ve got more than a speeding infraction on your hands?
• Know your plan and know the law. Be ready to take the next step if you start sensing that something’s hinky and be confident in knowing what that next step is and your legal abilities to dig deeper into the stop.
• Become a master at: strategic questioning, spotting deception, studying the tactics and techniques that have helped other 5%er officers pull down major busts, sharing information with other officers when you score a load…and seeking out their stories as well, thoroughly understanding current laws so you’re confident—not hesitant and unsure—in your actions when you think you’ve got a runner on your hands.
• Be hungry. If you truly make it a personal and professional goal to be successful at interdiction, you’ll never look at that flow of passing cars the same way again.
Happy New Year. Go get ‘em!
