Narcotics / Organized Crime
Overview / Mission
In a cooperative effort, enforce laws to deter organized crime, drug trafficking, criminal gangs and their enterprises, computer crimes, money laundering and other financial crimes.
The Bureau is organized into three districts, the Northern District in Flagstaff, the Central District in Phoenix, and the Southern District in Tucson.
The Northern Narcotics District consists of narcotic units participating in task force operations to investigate large scale drug trafficking organizations in Coconino, Mohave, Navajo, Apache, Yavapai and Gila Counties.
The Central Narcotics District consists of narcotic units participating in task force operations to investigate large scale drug trafficking organizations in Maricopa, Yuma, La Paz and Pinal Counties. The district also has a unit assigned to investigate and process methamphetamine labs, as well as monitoring reports of chemical sales of regulated chemicals commonly used to manufacture methamphetamine. The financial investigation units investigate embezzlement, investment fraud and identity theft, as well as money laundering crimes related to criminal offences including drug trafficking and human smuggling.
The Southern Narcotics District consists of narcotic units participating in task force operations to investigate large scale drug trafficking organizations in Pima, Graham, Greenlee, Santa Cruz and Cochise Counties. The district also has a unit assigned to investigate money laundering crimes related to drug trafficking, as well as traditional drug trafficking violations. The two computer crime units serve law enforcement agencies statewide, offering a state-of-the-art computer forensic laboratory, along with detectives who provide assistance and investigate computer related crimes, including child pornography, cyber-stalking and fraud.
The Bureau provides enforcement services statewide through participating or assisting in 23 different multi-agency task forces including federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors. The Bureau also provides assistance to other agencies for case specific needs and supports the enforcement efforts of the Highway Patrol Division.
Precursor Chemicals
To prevent the unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine and other dangerous and narcotic drugs, Arizona law regulates the sale of defined precursor and regulated chemicals. Arizona law requires the reporting of certain transactions involving these chemicals. If you are involved in the manufacture, distribution, sale or transfer of any of these chemicals, you should be familiar with those statutes that affect your company. Listed below is a brief outline of the statute; additional information can be obtained in A.R.S. 13-3404.
