A twenty-four hour public “hot line” can often be an effective tool for law enforcement. It was originally conceived by police departments in their efforts to solve cold cases. The term “whistle blower” originated from the idea that a policeman or sports referee will often respond to illegal or improper conduct by blowing a whistle worn around his neck. Of course, outside of that context, a whistle blower who reports criminal activity faces potential reprisal or retaliation from those persons he has accused. It is for this obvious reason, most tips left by the public are of an anonymous nature.
Today’s law enforcement “hot line” concept provides a mechanism for citizens to leave tips over the phone to either an investigative officer or voice mail. Although not all information gathered through this method can be considered reliable, every call is taken seriously. The information is logged and cross referenced to see if another tipster left similar or corroborating information in the past. A seeming insignificant piece of data culled from the hotline can often be the “missing link” in solving a crime or making an arrest.
Over the last few years, “hot lines” and “tip lines” have evolved for a multitude of purposes. The Social Security Administration developed their own “hot line” to report fraud. Immigration officials followed suit with a Tip Line for citizens to report illegal aliens residing in the country. There are now a multitude of “hot lines” dedicated to specific individual criminal offenses. These include, child abuse, graffiti, elder abuse, illegal firearm activity, domestic violence, air pollution or smoking vehicle exhaust, animal abuse, DUI, public official corruption, health care fraud, unsafe consumer products, and more.
Earlier this year, the Miami division of the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced the activation of their “Pill Mill” Tip Line. This 24 hour toll free “hot line” at 888-954-4662 is complimented by the agency’s publication of a special e-mail address: florida.pill.mill.tips@usdoj.gov Both the “Tip Line” and e-mail account were designed to solicit tips from Floridians in an effort to combat the state’s pain pill epidemic.
Coincidently, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department announced today that after receiving information of suspicious activity from unrevealed sources, their office formed a multi-agency task force dubbed “No Appointment Necessary.” The PCSO was joined by the Pasco County Sherriff’s office, the Department of Health, the Clearwater Police Department and the St. Petersburg Police Department. A coordinated investigation by the task force uncovered abundant evidence of prescription fraud, doctor shopping, felony drug possession and drug trafficking. Ninety-four outstanding arrest warrants were subsequently issued. The controlled substances included oxycodone, alprazolam and methadone. Pinellas law enforcement officials have begun arrests in what has been described as a major “Pinellas Prescription Drug Sweep.”
It is said that "Loose Lips Sink Ships."
Have You or a Relative Been Arrested for a Drug Offense?
We are local Pinellas County criminal defense lawyers with a background and training in this area of the law.
You can contact our office for a free consultation at: (727) 578-0303
Visit our Helpful Criminal Defense website at: www.defensehelp.com
Visit our Pinellas Drunk Driving site at: www.duistpetersburglawyer.com
Related Links:
ICE Tip Line Flooded With Calls
Pinellas Prescription Drug Town Hall Meeting
Drug Trafficking in Florida...The Crime You Thought You Understood
Participation in the Pinellas Drug Court can Avoid a Criminal Conviction
Gain a Fresh Start Through The Sealing and Expungement Process
Catching Doctor Shoppers through Florida's Prescription Drug Database
DEA Holding National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
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