LAPD Narcotics Division Coordination with Federal Drug Task Forces
You were arrested by LAPD Gang and Narcotics Division officers. But DEA agents were also there. And FBI agents. You’re confused – which agency is charging you? State or federal? Both? Thanks for visiting Spodek Law Group – a second generation law firm with over 50 years of combined experience. Our managing partner, Todd Spodek, has many, many, years of experience defending clients in multi-agency task force investigations. Todd has represented clients in high-profile cases covered by NY Post, Newsweek, and other national outlets – including Anna Delvey and juror misconduct allegations in the Ghislaine Maxwell trial. What LA HIDTA, OCDETF, and other task forces actually are, why task force coordination changes your defense strategy, how evidence sharing violates your Constitutional rights, and what to do RIGHT NOW if multiple agencies arrested you.
LAPD and DEA Arrest You Together
When LAPD Gang and Narcotics Division officers and DEA agents show up together, you’re facing multi-agency task force investigation. LAPD’s Gang and Narcotics Division coordinates with 15 federal agencies through formal task forces.
Primary task forces: DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA), FBI Gang Task Force, FBI Fugitive Task Force, U.S. Marshal’s Task Force, ATF Gun Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, LA IMPACT. LA HIDTA Task Force formed January 2009 – DEA-funded group with LAPD detectives and DEA agents working together.
Federal involvement changes everything. Mandatory minimum sentences 10-20 years. Federal sentencing guidelines apply, not California state law. Asset forfeiture more aggressive. Prosecution in Central District of California federal court. LAPD makes initial contact, but federal agents present = federal investigation likely.
Three Task Forces Targeting LA Drug Cases
LA HIDTA Task Force is primary coordination mechanism. DEA’s HIDTA program targets violent gangs and drug trafficking organizations. Historical operations: 2011 roundup of 38th Street Gang, 2012 investigation of South LA gangs controlled by Mexican Mafia members, 2017 MS-13 leadership investigation. LA HIDTA arrest means investigation started 18-36 months before. Long-term investigations with federal funding, federal resources, federal charges. Evidence from multiple agencies – wiretaps, surveillance, confidential informants, undercover operations.
OCDETF (Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces) carries enhanced penalties. OCDETF investigations trigger enhancements under 21 U.S.C. § 841 (federal drug distribution) and 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) (carrying weapon during drug trafficking – adds 5-10 years consecutive). March 2025: Deputy AG memo established “Operation Take Back America” relying on OCDETF resources to target cartels, fentanyl trafficking. OCDETF issued 276 press releases in 2025. Recent LA example: Justin Damonte Mitchell pleaded guilty to methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution conspiracy (OCDETF case). Asset forfeiture aggressive – civil forfeiture doesn’t require criminal conviction.
What triggers coordination? Title III wiretaps require federal court authorization. Interstate drug trafficking. Large quantities: 1kg+ cocaine, 50g+ meth, any fentanyl. Gang affiliation + drug distribution. Doctor/pharmacy controlled substance cases trigger DEA + LAPD automatically.
Task Force Coordination Violates Your Rights
Multi-agency investigations create Constitutional violations. Evidence sharing violates Fourth Amendment. LAPD obtains evidence under California state warrant signed by state judge. DEA uses that evidence for federal prosecution under different standards. Suppression argument: state warrant didn’t authorize federal use, evidence must be excluded from federal case. Multi-agency searches often exceed warrant scope – LAPD warrant for “drugs” doesn’t authorize DEA seizure of financial records, computers, documents for federal money laundering investigation. Particularity requirement violated. Task force officers may exceed authority. LAPD officer participating in DEA task force – acting under state authority or federal authority? Matters for Miranda warnings, search warrant requirements, evidence admissibility. If LAPD officer acts as federal agent without proper cross-designation, evidence obtained inadmissible. We’ve successfully challenged task force searches on this ground – LAPD officer exceeded state law authority by participating in federal investigation without federal oversight.
Fifth Amendment violations from statement transfers common. You’re arrested by LAPD. You invoke right to counsel. LAPD stops questioning. Then DEA agents continue questioning hours later – arguing your invocation of counsel was to LAPD, not DEA. This violates your Fifth Amendment rights. Statements made to LAPD officers (thinking you’re facing state charges) later used in federal prosecution. Different Miranda warnings between state and federal. You may not have been warned about federal exposure when making statements to LAPD. No “off the record” in task force investigations – everything shared between agencies.
Due process concerns – Dershowitz constitutional overlay – arise from agency confusion. You’re told “LAPD is investigating” but federal agents building case behind the scenes. Administrative state overreach: multiple agencies piling on charges for same conduct. State charges in LA County Superior Court AND federal charges in Central District of California for identical facts. Double jeopardy concern. Courts usually allow parallel state/federal prosecutions, but violates principles of fair notice and proportional punishment. Jurisdictional challenges create defense opportunities. Which court has priority – state or federal? Can you force state prosecution instead of federal? Federal prosecutors “adopt” state cases – taking over from LA County DA. Strategic decision: plead guilty in state court quickly before federal charges filed. State sentences for drug offenses typically 2-5 years. Federal mandatory minimums 10-20 years.
What to Do When Task Force Officers Arrest You
Invoke right to counsel IMMEDIATELY. Say: “I am invoking my right to counsel and my Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. I will not make statements to ANY agency – LAPD, DEA, FBI, or any other law enforcement – until I speak with my attorney.” In task force investigations, everything shared. No “off the record.”
Don’t assume LAPD arrest means state charges only. Federal agents present = federal investigation likely. Federal prosecutors “adopt” cases months later. You plead guilty in state court thinking it’s over. Then federal indictment drops for same conduct. Happens frequently in Los Angeles.
Don’t consent to searches. Task force searches exceed warrant scope. LAPD warrant for drugs doesn’t authorize DEA seizure of financial records. Fourth Amendment right to refuse consent beyond warrant authorization.
Don’t cooperate without attorney guidance. Cooperation with LAPD may not help federal exposure. Federal prosecutors don’t honor state cooperation agreements. Strategic decision: plead guilty in state court (2-5 years) or wait for federal charges and cooperate with federal prosecutors (substantial assistance reduces 20-year mandatory minimum to 5-8 years)? Wrong cooperation decision results in worst outcome – pleading guilty in state court with no benefit, then facing federal charges anyway.
Challenge task force coordination early. Suppress evidence obtained by LAPD used in federal prosecution. Suppress statements taken by one agency shared with another. Challenge warrants signed by state judge for federal investigation – did affidavit disclose federal involvement? If not, warrant may be invalid.
Specific defenses that work in Los Angeles: Suppress evidence from Fourth Amendment violations. Suppress statements from Fifth Amendment violations. Negotiate resolution in state court before federal charges. Challenge officer authority. Exploit jurisdictional conflicts.
You have Constitutional protections – right to counsel, Fifth Amendment, Fourth Amendment, due process. But ONLY if you assert them. Unlike other law firms who are more focused on their relationship with prosecutors and judges, Spodek Law Group protects YOUR Constitutional rights. We challenge illegal evidence sharing, suppress statements taken in violation of your rights, force prosecutors to prove their case within Constitutional boundaries. We are available 24/7 for a risk-free consultation. If LAPD and federal agents arrested you: Don’t make statements. Don’t consent to searches. Invoke your right to counsel. Call us. 212-300-5196.