In 2016, Congressman Peter Visclosky announced the expansion of Indiana HIDTA to include Porter, LaPorte and Marion counties, effectively expanding Indiana HIDTA initiatives across the state of Indiana. Together, federal, state, and local law enforcement departments and agencies regionally coordinate efforts and intelligence to combat drug traffickers within transportation corridors in Indiana.
The primary agencies connected to the Indiana HIDTA include DEA, ATF, FBI, Indiana National Guard, Indiana State Police and local police departments in Northwest Indiana and surrounding Indianapolis. Each agency has provided agents/officers in support of the war on drugs. The Investigative Support Center provides assistance to all agencies throughout the state and surrounding areas; the Center employs well-trained civilian and military analysts who specialize in various areas of criminal investigative analysis.
You can find out more about the Indiana HIDTA and its initiatives, training opportunities, up-to-date news from around the area, downloadable forms, and ways to contact us. Use the links in the navigation bar to learn more about Indiana HIDTA’s initiatives. As a security precaution anyone submitting forms will have their identity verified through their department.
Indiana HIDTA Initiatives
Central Indiana Drug Task Force (CIDTF)
The DEA-led Central Indiana Drug Task Force (CIDTF) HIDTA Group 52 initiative targets all major domestic and international Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) trafficking controlled substances through out the Southern District of Indiana. CIDTF works closely with state and local counterparts to disrupt and dismantle these DTOs from the ground up.
Domestic Highway Enforcement (DHE)
The Highway Enforcement Team is an interdiction and enforcement activity designed to disrupt the flow of drugs on Indiana highways working with the ISP (Indiana State Police). This initiative will contribute to the National HIDTA Domestic Highway Enforcement (DHE) Strategy by focusing interdiction efforts on the interstate network.
Firearms Interdiction Regional Enforcement (FIRE)
The FIRE initiative is a multi-jurisdictional task force led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). Formerly established in 1994 under a state-sponsored program, FIRE targets persons or organizations violating federal firearms and narcotics laws.
Gang Response Investigative Team (GRIT)
The GRIT initiative is an FBI-led task force designed to identify, disrupt, and dismantle gangs and gang-related activities. The primary mission of the GRIT is to reduce the incidence of gang-related violence in Indiana.
Indianapolis Hotel Interdiction and Truck Stops (IHITS)
The IHITS initiative is led by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s (IMPD) Criminal Interdiction Section (CIS). IHITS specializes in the identification and disruption of Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) that are in and pass through Indianapolis. Along with truck stops, DTOs often utilize hotels or motels for their operations. IHITS disrupts this practice by conducting traffic stops and knock and talk investigations.
Indianapolis Metro Safe Streets Gang Task Force (IMSSTF)
This FBI-led initiative targets all major domestic and international Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) trafficking controlled substances throughout the Southern District of Indiana. IMSSTF works closely with state and local counterparts to disrupt and dismantle these DTOs at all levels.
Investigative Support Center (ISC)
The ISC is the hub of Indiana HIDTA operations. The initiative was started in 1997 with the creation of the Indiana HIDTA. The ISC is jointly managed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Indiana State Police (ISP). The ISC provides accurate, detailed, and timely drug and non-drug intelligence to both HIDTA initiative partners, as well as to other Lake, LaPorte, Marion and Porter Counties and other law enforcement agencies.
Lake County Combined Task Force (LCCTF)
Since the inception of Indiana HIDTA, the LCCTF initiative investigators have targeted mid to upper level drug traffickers operating in, or impacting Indiana. LCCTF continues to coordinate and enhance federal, state and local law enforcement efforts to address the drug threat to Lake, LaPorte, Marion and Porter Counties in Indiana, while operating within the Indiana HIDTA strategy toward achieving measurable outcomes against that threat.
LaPorte County Drug Task Force (LPCDTF)
The LaPorte County Drug Task Force combines the prior two task forces into one which will be co-located and co-mingled at the Michigan City Police Department. The initiative coordinates and enhances federal, state and local law enforcement efforts to address the drug threat to LaPorte County while operating within the HIDTA strategy toward achieving measurable outcomes against that threat.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Gang Intelligence Unit (MCSO SIGIU)
Since the inception of Indiana HIDTA, the initiative investigators have targeted mid to upper level drug traffickers operating in, or impacting Indiana. MSCO SIGIU continues to coordinate and enhance federal, state and local law enforcement efforts to address the drug threat to Lake, LaPorte, Marion and Porter Counties in Indiana, while operating within the Indiana HIDTA strategy toward achieving measurable outcomes against that threat.
Marshals Fugitive Task Force (MFTF)
The United States Marshal’s Service Fugitive Task Force is an active, collocated, multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional initiative, composed of officers and agents from participating federal and local law enforcement agencies in the Indiana HIDTA region. The goal of the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force (GLRFTF) is to pursue and arrest federal, state and local fugitives who are members of drug trafficking organizations (DTO’s) through long term investigative efforts.
Money Laundering and Financial Crimes (MLFC)
The mission of the Money Laundering and Financial Crimes initiative is to develop and assist with criminal investigations and asset forfeitures of illegal activities, specifically drug-related activities, in the Lake, LaPorte, Marion and Porter Counties in Indiana. The emphasis of this task force is to pursue financial investigations on individuals and organizations that will result in criminal prosecutions and asset seizures and forfeitures. This will include investigations into money laundering, structuring and additional activities in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act.
Porter County Multi-Enforcement Group (PCMEG)
The Porter County Multi-Enforcement Group (PCMEG) utilizes all resources available to identify members of DTOs. Some of these members have ties to Mexican DTOs connected with the Southwest border. This task force also uses traditional investigative techniques to disrupt and dismantle DTOs.