Due to the large amount of drug trafficking that occurs in Miami-Dade County, The Miami-Dade County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) was established so that Miami-Dade County law enforcement agencies could work together to specifically target suspected drug trafficking activity.
HIDTA works on seizing assets, such as money, homes, and cars, that are suspected to be associated with drug trafficking. This is known as forfeiture.
HIDTA targets marijuana trafficking (including marijuana grow houses), cocaine trafficking, heroin trafficking, ecstasy trafficking (MDMA), and prescription drug trafficking (such as oxycodone, alprazolam, and hydrocodone).
Many local law enforcement agencies are associated with HIDTA. In fact, if you or someone you know has been arrested for trafficking, you will see that the police report may mention that the arresting officer(s) were working a HIDTA detail.
HIDTA also has a number of task forces that go after organized crime, gangs, fraud, and money laundering.
HIDTA is an example of the level of organization and funding that goes into fighting drug trafficking and drug-related crime.
Criminal Defense Attorney Eric Matheny represents clients charged with trafficking in narcotics in Miami-Dade and Broward.