Drug and narcotics investigations are complex operations that require good collaboration between various law enforcement agencies and organizations. But, with outdated systems and disjointed processes, it is difficult to properly access and analyze important information. The result? Missed opportunities, rework and delays that help traffickers continue with their activities.

The problem is not a lack of data. In fact, the lack of organization is what causes headaches for those who work in this area. Even with efforts by government agencies to share intelligence more efficiently, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report shows that overlapping systems and technological limitations only make the work of detectives and police officers more difficult.

Fortunately, there is good news: it is possible to optimize this collaboration and integrate data more effectively. In this article, we will discuss the main challenges in managing information about drug investigations and some strategies that can make these operations faster, smarter and more efficient.

The complexities of the drug problem

According to UN data, drug trafficking is the most profitable criminal activity in the world. Currently, there are almost 300 million drug users across the globe, and the trend is for the consumption and production of illicit substances to continue to grow. To further worsen the situation, crimes associated with trafficking, such as money laundering and violence, are also reaching unprecedented levels.

Another challenge is the impact of technology on the way drugs are marketed. Criminals no longer rely on traditional methods, such as the use of “mules”, business fronts or other structures common in the trafficking hierarchy. Clandestine internet markets, encrypted messaging apps and cryptocurrencies are the newest trend, allowing traffickers to operate more efficiently, on a larger scale and with greater anonymity.

Given this scenario, it is not surprising that police forces and other security agencies are so overloaded and overworked. And in this increasingly unpredictable battlefield, it is essential to seek solutions that allow investigators to stay ahead of criminals, acting in an organized and effective manner. But how can this be done? Adaptive data systems can be a promising alternative. We will talk more about them later in this article.

How data and information management impacts drug investigations

Before we talk about solutions, it is important that the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies are clarified. As we have already mentioned, drug and narcotics investigations are quite complex operations. According to one GAO report, this complexity is largely due to conflicts related to data organization and sharing. But why?

Firstly, law enforcement agencies must deal with an enormous volume of investigative data generated daily. And between camera images, wiretap recordings, reports from anonymous hotlines, among other sources, investigative information almost always ends up scattered all over the place.

Additionally, the data collected may be subject to variation in quality and reliability. Reports and statements that don’t add up, errors in data entry, and outdated information can hinder the progress of investigations.

To complicate matters further, legal restrictions are also an issue. Privacy laws, court warrant requirements, and other rules can complicate the exchange of information between agencies and departments, even when it is essential for investigations to work.

And if we add the overload, disorganization, uncertain quality and the legal implication of investigative data to the lack of unified databases (or the lack of database at all) that allow quick and easy access to important data, things get even more difficult.

Detecting and neutralizing criminal organizations

Given this scenario, a question becomes increasingly pertinent: how can law enforcement agencies overcome these obstacles to detect and neutralize drug trafficking more efficiently? A great starting point is to recognize common patterns and key indicators in criminal network operations.

It is true that in general the drug trade works through well-established factions, where criminals respect hierarchy, jurisdiction and distribution strategies. In this scenario, the obvious answer is to map patterns in how these criminal networks coordinate their operations, including common distribution routes, known jurisdictions and potential funders.

However, organize crime is not always that organized. To uncover the criminal empires behind the scenes, drug investigations also need to look at smaller operations and small-time local drug dealers who work in far less predictable ways. In this case, small and frequent financial transactions, phone records, and even social media activity can be relevant key indicators.

Furthermore, identifying patterns and key indicators is not enough to neutralize criminal organizations. This data will only be usable if investigators are able to connect the dots. In other words, investigative data, such as interviews, police reports, surveillance data and intercepted communications, need to be assembled, like a complex puzzle, for the police work to have results.

The best strategy for detecting and dismantling drug trafficking networks is intelligence and cooperation. When local, state, federal and even international agencies pool their resources and intelligence, they can uncover links between drug trafficking and organized crime that would be impossible to detect alone.

This is the case of El Centro (a pseudonym), for example. Created in the 1990s, this multi-jurisdictional alliance used advanced communications and information technologies to unite diverse agencies. Despite facing some resistance, the implementation of the project resulted in a more efficient approach to combating drug trafficking and the organized crime groups behind it.

The impact of technology on drug investigations

One of the reasons initiatives like El Centro are so interesting is the fact that the traditional methods used by police forces are being left behind by new tech. Let’s face it: organized crime is increasingly dependent on and proficient in the use of technology. In other words, to combat them there is nothing better than taking advantage of the same tactics.

Traditional Record Management System (RMS), for example, have difficulty interacting and sharing information efficiently with other local, state and federal databases. This creates delays in accessing critical data such as warrants, arrest records and investigative reports. Furthermore, these tools don’t usually come with features such as trend analysis, real-time data sharing, and AI-based insights.

Many legacy systems also require duplicate data entry across multiple modules, increasing the risk of human error and inefficiencies. For investigators, this results in confusing investigations, that feel like trying to piece together a complex puzzle with several missing pieces.

Fortunately, more modern systems can fill this gap, providing police with all the tools they need for thorough and efficient investigations. The move to more integrated, advanced and automated platforms, such as Advanced Case Management System (CMS), for example, is helping law enforcement agencies work with more precision and agility. And this is essential, because when it comes to taking down drug cartels, every second counts.

How Advanced Case Management Systems (CMS) Can Help

But how exactly can these systems help? The solution is simple, but quite clever. For starters, unlike traditional RMS, modern CMS can integrate standards like the National Crime Information Center database (NCIC), National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) and the Global Justice Extensible Markup Language (XML) Data Model (Global JXDM), allowing instant access to databases and facilitating interagency cooperation.

They are also capable of reducing duplicate data, and automating routine processes such as reporting, alerting and case updates. All of this with remote access from anywhere, allowing even agents in the field to have access to important information.

Finally, another advantage offered by these new systems is the application of artificial intelligence in investigations. They often include AI-based policing and analysis tools, enabling better identification of crime patterns and more intelligence when linking cases. The result is better crime prevention and faster resolution of open cases.

Conclusion

The challenges faced by investigators and law enforcement agencies when it comes to drug and narcotics-related investigations are quite significant. Outdated tools and disconnected processes complicate the work, leaving investigators struggling to keep up with increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.

To overcome these obstacles, it is important to adopt integrated, technology-driven solutions. Investing in advanced case management systems (CMS), AI tools, and interagency collaboration is also crucial. By modernizing their approach, authorities can increase their efficiency, improve data sharing, and more effectively combat drug trafficking operations.

Hubstream can help with all the tools necessary to face these challenges. Our software offers:

• AI-powered Link Analysis and Lead Prioritization that fluidly connects the dots between cases, people and data, helping to reveal hidden patterns and prioritize recurrences and critical leads.

• Secure Data Storage which provides government-grade security and protects sensitive case information while promoting collaboration between teams.

• Centralized Case Management which allows you to organize, access and manage all drug investigation data and reports in a single secure location, facilitating the prosecution process.

• Streamlined Workflows that make it possible to assign tasks, set reminders and track progress to keep investigations on track.