Drug Trafficking

An interview with the Narcotics Department of Daytona Beach Police Department

By Olivia Sorrells

_____________________________________________

Central Florida has been a prime area for drug trafficking and drug busts in the state of Florida recently. Drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, abuse of prescription drugs, and a new form of ecstasy called “molly” are more prevalent today than ever in the drug trafficking community.

Daytona Beach Sgt. Eric Savercool, who heads Daytona Beach police’s narcotics squad, investigates drug trafficking in Central Florida and comes across these drugs more frequently than others. In this brief interview, he assesses the import and export of illicit drugs and prescription drugs, as well as the sources and channels through which they travel.

Savercool stated that abuse of prescription drugs, as well as selling and buying, often happens through “doctor shopping.” Doctor shopping is when a buyer or seller seeks out a medical doctor that takes cash only, no insurance needed, and often has an armed guard inside or outside of the building to ensure safety from the police harming their costumers and workers. These “doctors” can make up to $10,000 per day. In regards to the availability of “doctor shopping” businesses in Central Florida, Savercool said, “Kissimmee and the Orlando area are the worst. South Florida has cracked down.”

Cocaine in Central Florida originates in Nicaragua and then travels through drug cartel in other parts of South America. In this process everyone involved in trafficking the drug, Savercool said, “takes a cut of the sale and gets paid for handling it.” From here the drug comes up through the Mexico and Texas border and then further through Arizona to be distributed throughout the United States.

Marijuana in Central Florida is categorized by two types- Mexican and hydroponic. “Mexican weed is brick-y and full seed” Savercool said about the characteristics of how to identify this specific type. From there police can investigate the source from which came- through Texas and Arizona. This marijuana is about $700 per pound- it is the “cheap” weed. Hydroponic weed comes from California and it is high grade, better quality and has higher THC levels. This type of weed costs between $2500 and $4000 per pound. The transportation of these types of marijuana is the most “creative;” the weed is shipped through the Post Office, UPS and FedEx. “The post office is the worst and it is cheap and easy to hide from the drug dogs through dryer sheets, paint cans and commonly industrial materials like five gallon buckets,” Savercool said.

The most recent drug trend in colleges as well as the nightclub and party scene is Molly. Molly, a pure form of MDMA or ecstasy, is addictive and potent. This drug can be obtained overseas from Europe. “Police haven’t found any labs of Molly yet,” Savercool said, but because this drug is becoming more popular, police are beginning to investigate it further.  

The drugs listed are not the only drugs obtained recently in drug busts. however they are the most talked about and most used in this area. These drugs are easily imported and exported therefor making them a high priority for police to investigate and charge offenders in possession of these illicit drugs.