UNIFIED DRUG ENFORCEMENT STRIKE TEAM
The Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) is an initiative of the North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). UDEST is a federally funded initiative comprised of local and federal agents from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Ocala Police Department, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the State Attorney’s Office. The main goal of this unit is to reduce the distribution and importation of narcotics in Marion County. The agents work long-term investigations focusing on upper level drug trafficking organizations and money laundering organizations. UDEST significantly impacts drug trafficking organizations by employing a number of investigative techniques to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations.
During the 2023 calendar year, UDEST seized more than $3.3 million worth of drugs.
Drugs Seized:
20, 490 grams of Fentanyl
Additional 2,425 dosage units in pill form
6 grams of Heroin
Additional 999 dosage units in pill form
21,804 grams of Cocaine/Crack
20,933 grams of Methamphetamine/Ice
12,569 Prescription Pills
Other Statistics:
8 Drug Trafficking Organizations Disrupted/Dismantled
315 Arrests
51 Guns Seized
In 2023, UDEST was also awarded Statewide Drug Unit of the Year for the third year in a row by the Florida Narcotic Officers’ Association.
HOW TO SUBMIT A TIP
If you have information regarding a drug crime, you can submit a tip anonymously using Crime Stoppers of Marion County. To do so, you can either:
Call (352) 368-STOP (7867)
OR
You can submit a tip online