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Special Investigations

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Lt. Bart Knowles

Lieutenant Bart Knowles is in charge of the Special Investigations Division and is responsible for the enforcement of narcotics violations in the city of Gainesville. 

Special Investigations / Street Drugs

The Special Investigations Division investigates illegal drug activity at three levels. The Narcotics Unit investigates street-level drug crimes that occur throughout the City of Gainesville. Detectives assigned to the street-level Narcotics Unit identify and arrest subjects who are selling drugs in neighborhoods and affecting the quality of life for the residents in the area. Most enforcement of street-level drug crimes is done through undercover drug buys. The drug buys usually result in the arrest of the drug dealer and/or a search warrant being served on the location where the drug activity is occurring.

ID also has detectives assigned to state and federal drug task forces to increase the impact of local drug cases. The FDLE Multi-Agency Task Force investigates mid-level suppliers of the street-level dealers. These mid-level dealers often extend beyond the City of Gainesville into surrounding cities and counties. The DEA Task Force investigates upper-level suppliers of drugs. Many of the upper-level drug investigations extend to other states and countries. Both task forces work toward significant State or Federal prison sentences for serious drug offenders. The investigations of mid- and upper-level suppliers often develop from street-level cases made by the Narcotics Unit when working community problems.            

 

Rave Drugs

The following is a list of drugs that are commonly confiscated during arrests at rave parties.

Ecstacy:
Methlenedioxy-n-methlamphetamine - (MDMA)
Street Names: X, Beans, Zingers, E, Eve, Adam, etc...
Appearance: "scored" or "pressed" pill can vary in size and color. May have a design stamped in the face.
Cost: $25.00 a pill, $200.00 to $250.00 for blister pack of 10
Effects:
* Decreased inhibtions. Euphoric, "loving" feeling
* It varies as to how long it will remain in the body (4-6 hours common)
* Increase body temperature - can lead to dehydration or heatstroke
* Loss of appetite
* Can cause jaw to grind
* Body aches and pains
*** Recent deaths across the country have been attributed to paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA) which is a recreational drug often sold as Ecstacy. It is weaker than Estacy and users often double dose to achieve the desired effects. The deaths were caused by severely elevated body temperatures.

Inhalants:
Street Names: Buzz bomb, bombers & whippets
Appearance: Paint thinner, Aerosols, Fuels, Amyl and Butyl Nitrites, Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas), and other different products
Cost: varies
Effects:
* Lightheadedness, drowsiness, or severe headache
* Nerve damage
* Can cause aneurysm (blood vessel to burst)
* Lack of oxygen can result in death
* Severe liver damage
* Brain damage
* Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome (SSDS)
* Vomiting
* Asphyxiation

Ketamine:
Veterinary anesthetic
Street Names: K, Special K, etc...
Appearance: Crystalline white powder or clear liquid
Cost: $25.00 capsule or small amount of powder or $150-300 for a vial of liquid
Effects:
* Cardiovascular failure
* Inability to move muscles
* Insensitivity to pain - can lead to serious injury
* Experience intense hallucinations
* Can cause coma or death

LSD:
d-lysergic acid diethylamide
Street Names: Acid, Microdots, Blotters, etc...
Appearance: NEW - gel tabs, common blotter paper
Cost: $25,00 a gel tab or $1.00 to $10.00 a hit
Effects:
* Dilated pupils and increase in body temperature
* Loss of appetite, dry mouth and tremors
* All body senses are effected - may "see" music or "hear" color
* Experience dramatic mood swings
* Change in personality while high
* Flashbacks can occur without warning for the rest of your life

Mushrooms:
Psilocybin mushroom
Street Names: Schrooms, Tea, Food of the gods, etc...
Appearance: Varies
Cost: $3.00 to $15.00 a gram to $300.00 to $1500.00 a pound
Effects:
* Experience euphoria, color distortions and vivid hallucinations
* All body senses are effected - may "see" music and "hear" color
* Experience dramatic mood swings
* Changes in personality while high

GHB/GBL:
Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) / Gammabutyrolactone (GBL)
Street Names: G, Liquid Ecstasy, etc....
Appearance: Clear or slightly colored liquid in plastic bottles (thicker than water)
Cost: $5.00 to $10.00 a dose, few ml.
* Unconsciousness and memory loss
* Suppress respiratory system
* Vomiting
* Liver and Kidney Failure
* Has been used to assist with sexual assaults
* Can cause coma or death

Other Street Narcotics

There are numerous types of illegal street narcotics in central Florida. The following is list of a few common street narcotics.

Crack Cocaine:
Street Names: Rock, Crack, etc.... Whitish or slightly hazy, yellowish small "rock"
Cost: $20.00 one rock (.2g) or $800.00 to $2000.00 an ounce
Effects:
* Energy
* Anxiety
* Paranoia
* Death

Powder Cocaine:
Street Names: Coke, Nose candy, Snow, Dust, etc...
Appearance: White powder
Cost: $80.00 to $100.00 gram or $10,000 to $30,000 a kilo
Effects:
* Energy
* Anxiety
* Release of social inhibitions
* Paranoia
* Insomnia

Cannabis:
Street Names: Pot, Grass, Ganja, Wacky Weed, etc....
Appearance: Green leaf
Cost: $10.00 a small bag, $100.00-$200.00 oz., or $1000.00 a pound
Effects:
* Euphoria
* Increased appetite
* Uninhibited behavior

Heroin:
Street Names: Big Daddy, Brown Sugar, Tar, Smack, etc...
Appearance: White powder, black tar, clear liquid syringe
Cost: $10.00 a dose in aluminum foil
Effects:
* Numbness
* Low blood pressure
* Rush

Rohypnol:
Street Names: Roofies
Appearance: Scored small white tablet often with "Roche"
Cost: $5.00 to $10.00 a 2 mg pill
Effects:
* Sleep inducers
* Dizziness or confusion
* "Date rape" drug

Steroids:
Street Names: Roids
Appearance: Ampules with liquid, very small capsules
Cost: $.50 - $1.00 pill, $10.00 for 10 ml.
Effects:
* Increase in muscle growth
* Numerous side effects

If you are a UF student and have a problem with alcohol or narcotics please contact the GatorWell Health Promotion Services by calling them at (352) 392-1161 ext. 4281 at or visit their web site by clicking the link provided.