Collaboration with Law Enforcement
Crucial Partners in the Fight to Reduce Crime and Drugs
Milwaukee HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) is part of the Safe & Sound Strategy and collaborates with the other elements of Safe & Sound to reduce the demand for illegal drugs on our streets and involve youth and residents in grass roots anti-drug efforts. The goal of the Milwaukee HIDTA is to disrupt and/or dismantle criminal organizations that import, transport and distribute illegal drugs. Its mandate also includes investigation of drug-related violent crime and money laundering. Milwaukee HIDTA provides training and builds the cooperation and capacity of Safe & Sound collaborators throughout the City and Southeastern Wisconsin.
Founded in 1998, Milwaukee HIDTA coordinates the work and information-sharing of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies investigating targeted drug-trafficking organizations. The agencies especially focus on gang activity related to major drug-trafficking organizations and tough enforcement of gun laws. They also encourage neighborhood involvement in reducing crime.
In 2005, the Milwaukee HIDTA initiatives seized 33 kilos of cocaine, 2.2 kilos of crack cocaine, .5 kilos of heroin, 300 kilos of marijuana and 1,001 dosage units of Ecstasy. The initiatives disrupted or dismantled 11 drug-trafficking organizations and seized $1,961,036.00 in drug assets. The Milwaukee HIDTA also closed 384 fugitive warrants, an increase of 10% over the previous year.
The Milwaukee HIDTA Executive Board is comprised of the heads of the participating law enforcement agencies. The Executive Board sets policy and determines the direction of Milwaukee HIDTA. The HIDTA Director provides administrative oversight of the program. The Safe & Sound initiative raises funds through private efforts to match HIDTA funds in support of the goal of drug crime reduction. As part of Safe & Sound’s three-pronged approach to reduce youth crime and violence, Milwaukee HIDTA is a key element in improving the quality of life for the community.
Participating Agencies
- Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives
- Cudahy Police Department
- Department of Homeland Security-Immigration & Customs Enforcement Office of Investigations
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office
- Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office
- Milwaukee Police Department
- Racine County Sheriff’s Office
- U.S. Marshals Service
- United States Attorney’s Office
- Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office
- West Allis Police Department
- Wisconsin Department of Justice-DCI
- Wisconsin National Guard-DCP
