Welcome to the Sunrise Police Department Strategic Investigations Section (SIS). I hope you take this opportunity to view the information we have provided and help us to help you in combating the illegal drugs and drug abuse that undermine the moral fiber of our city and the nation.

South Florida has not been spared the ravages of drug trafficking and drug abuse. The Sunrise Police Department, like many other law enforcement agencies, has been forced to face formidable odds. Despite many obstacles, the Department is diligently working to stem the tide of illegal drugs. Narcotics enforcement is one of our top priorities and the Strategic Investigations Section is dedicated toward this end.

I hope the information contained in this Web page is both informative and beneficial and every person that has the opportunity to view it. If we can be of any assistance to you or someone you know, please contact our tip line at (954) 572-5660. Your information will be held in strict confidence.

 
About Strategic Investigations Section

The Strategic Investigations Section (SIS) conducts investigations of major criminal organized/drug organizations. SIS is responsible for conducting all investigations involving the following type of crimes: prostitution, narcotics, gambling, and liquor law violations.

The SIS has detectives assigned to Task Forces with the following agencies either full or part-time: Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). SIS also participates with the South Broward Drug Enforcement Unit (SBDEU), which is comprised of narcotics and organized crime detectives from various local police departments and federal agents to combat crime in South and West Broward County.

The SIS has one detective assigned as the Technical Investigator who has the responsibility of maintaining and operating the Department's technical equipment during investigations. This Detective also provides computer assistance to VIN detectives in their investigations.

The SIS is also responsible for the Department's forfeitures in criminal and civil investigations. The SIS Commander works directly with a civil firm that handles all of the litigation involved with forfeiture cases.

The SIS has a tip line (954-572-5660) for persons to give information and remain anonymous. This tip line has historically been an outstanding method for the community to relay information about suspicious incidents, narcotic activity, and prostitution in their neighborhood(s) to the detectives. If you would like to speak to an SIS detective, call (954) 382-7433.

Our Organization

The Strategic Investigations Section is divided into the following units:

• Low-Level Enforcement Units - These units attack the low-level dealers and drug houses.
• Mid and Upper-Level Enforcement Units - Primarily target the drug distributor who supplies the low-level dealers.
• Crime Suppression Unit - Detectives deployed in areas where crime analysis has identified a crime trend. The Unit activity also targets the prevention of crime and the apprehension of those individuals that threaten the safety of our residents.
• Federal Task Force Units - These include SPD Officers working with DEA, ATF or other Federal Task Forces.

Prescription Fraud

Specifically, a person commits an offense if they:

1. Forge a prescription or increase the prescribed quantity of a dangerous drug in a prescription; 
2. Issue a prescription bearing a forged or fictitious signature; 
3. Obtain or attempt to obtain a dangerous drug by using a forged, fictitious, or altered prescription; 
4. Obtain or attempt to obtain a dangerous drug utilizes of a fraudulent telephone call; or 
5. Possess a dangerous drug obtained by a forged, fictitious, or altered prescription or by means of a fraudulent telephone call.

Asset Forfeiture & Seizures

Florida State Statutes give The Sunrise Police Department the authority to seize certain property that has been used in the commission of certain felonies, including felony narcotics offenses. This property may then be forfeited after a court hearing.

What do I do if my car has been seized?
If your vehicle has been seized, you should contact the investigating officer to determine if a Narcotics hold has been placed on it. If there is a Narcotics hold on it, the investigating officer will explain the procedures and time frame required to obtain your vehicle.

When you speak to the investigating detective, make sure you have the following information:

• Name of the person arrested in the vehicle.
• Make and model of vehicle.
• Proof of ownership of the vehicle.

How soon can I get my car back?
By state law, the Police Department has up to 30 days to investigate a seizure case for potential forfeiture. After investigation, if a case is filed, it will be up to the courts for final disposition. This could take several years.

How do I get my property out of my car?
The Police Department is happy to work with you in the recovery of personal property from seized vehicles. Simply contact the investigating officer at 954-746-3370. The investigating officer will arrange to meet you at the Police Auto Pound at a mutually convenient time and supervise the removal of the property.

Please ensure that you have transportation and enough help to handle the material to be picked up. Obviously contraband is not eligible for pickup.

Drug Education

What Parents Should Know
It doesn't matter how good your child is or where you live, your child is at risk. The infestation of drugs in our society is at an epidemic level and crosses all socioeconomic and education borders. How can parents help children through the minefield of temptations and peer pressure?

The following are a few suggestions.

• Become educated about the problem. Learn about the terminology and effects of the drugs.
• Watch for changes in behavior. Have there been changes in sleeping habits? Has your child's appetite changed significantly? Has their attitude changed for no apparent reason?
• Is your child spending more money with nothing to show for it? On the other hand, are things appearing with no apparent expenditure?
• Who is your child hanging around with? Are old friends no longer around and you have never met the new ones? Are questions being met with evasive and vague answers?
• Hug your kids when they get home. In addition to letting them know you love them and care for them, this simple act gives you the opportunity to detect any problems. Smoke, alcohol, and chemicals all leave telltale odors in the clothes and hair.
• Are prescription drugs disappearing?

Watch the whole behavior. Some of these actions can be explained as part of the normal growth process, however, taken in combination they could signal problems.

Remember! There are no safe drugs. All drugs, including tobacco, liquor, narcotics, and even herbals have a potential for abuse.

How Can I Help in the War on Drugs?
Pay attention to what is happening in your neighborhood.

• Is there unusually heavy traffic in and out of a house, apartment or parking lot? Drug traffic usually involves stays of very short duration, typically a matter of minutes.
• Do you notice unusual exchanges between people? Nervous exchanges of small objects or money are often indicative of a drug buy.
• Are there a lot of exchanges taking place through the bars of a fortified door or window?
• Have you noticed regular meetings taking place between the same people at the same location?

What do I do if I notice suspicious activity?
If you observe suspicious activities in your neighborhood, call your local police department narcotics unit. If possible be prepared to supply the following information. Under no circumstance should you place yourself in danger to obtain any of this information.

• The exact location of the activity.
• Time of heaviest traffic.
• Describe the dealers. Include the race, age, sex, height, weight, hair color and style and any names or visible marks you may know of.
• Average description of buyers.
• Type of drug being sold. If you hear the name of the drug, report it.

The more information you can supply safely, the easier it will be to address the problem.

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