Criminal Investigations

The Investigations Division of the Richmond Police Department conducts follow-up investigative work on criminal cases forwarded from the patrol division as well as investigating major crimes and sensitive cases that are self-initiated or referred from other agencies. This division works closely with our department Evidence Technicians.

Narcotics Unit - Madison County HIDTA Drug Task Force

The Narcotics Unit is partnered with the Madison County HIDTA Drug Task Force. They enforce laws, respond to citizen complaints, serve search warrants, and handle asset forfeiture any time these duties relate to narcotics. The unit works closely with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Kentucky State Police, Madison County Sheriff's Office, Berea Police Department, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to combat narcotics trafficking and violent crime in the community. This unit depends on the citizens of Richmond to provide information regarding possible drug trafficking activity in their neighborhoods, so be watchful and take note of how you can help keep your neighborhood safe.

Narcotic Activity Indicators

• Exchanges Of Money - Cash and packets traded through windows, mail slots, or under doorways.
• Failure To meet Responsibilities - Failure to pay utility bills or rent, failure to maintain, or general damage to, the property. Some dealers smoke or inject much of their profits, and as they get more involved in the drugs, they are more likely to ignore bills, maintenance, and housekeeping.
• Heavy Traffic - Cars and pedestrians stop at a home for only brief periods. Traffic may be cyclical, increasing on weekends or late at night, or minimal for a few weeks and then intense for a period of a few days-particularly paydays.
• Lack of Familiarity - Visitors appear to be acquaintances rather than friends.
• "Lookouts" - Frequently these will be younger people who tend to hang around the area during heavy traffic hours.
• Odd Car Behavior - Visitors may sit in the car for a while after leaving the residence or may leave one person in the car while the other visits. Visitors may also park around a corner or a few blocks away and approach on foot.
• People Bring "Valuables" into the Residence - Visitors regularly bring televisions, bikes, VCRs, cameras, and leave empty-handed.
• Regular Activity During Extremely Late Hours - For example, frequent commotion between midnight and 4 am on weeknights. (Both cocaine and methamphetamine are stimulants and users tend to stay up at night)
• Various Obvious Signs - These may include people exchanging small packets for cash, people using drugs while sitting in their cars, syringes left in common areas or on neighboring properties, or other paraphernalia lying around.

Meth Labs

Many people may be living next door to a meth lab and not know it. Some of the signs that there is a meth lab in operation are easy to detect. You may have noticed them and just haven't realized they are signs for meth lab operations. Here are some of the things to watch for:

• Large amounts of traffic – People coming and going at unusual hours. There may be little traffic during the day and large amounts at night
• Renters who pay their landlords in cash (most drug dealers deal exclusively in cash)
• Residences with windows blacked out
• Unusual strong odors (like cat urine, ether, ammonia, acetone, or other chemicals)
• Excessive trash, including large quantities of antifreeze containers, lantern fuel cans, red chemically stained coffee filters, drain cleaner containers, and duct tape.
• Unusual quantities of clear glass containers being brought into the home.
• Other items can indicate meth lab activity: Camp stoves, energy boosters, hot plates, lithium batteries, propane cylinders, and matches. Be on the lookout for excessive trash filled with containers for: acetone, alcohol, sulfuric acid, benzene, chloroform, Drano, Epsom salt, Freon, muriatic acid, and paint thinner.

Reporting Suspicious Behaviors

If you suspect a neighbor is dealing narcotics or operating a meth lab, please notify the Richmond Police Department. You can call the drug tip line at 859-623-1714, toll-free at (833) KYHIDTA, or send an email to the Tip Line. You can remain anonymous in reporting; though, sometimes it is helpful for you to leave your name and number if we need follow-up information . Please include as much detailed information as possible on the suspected seller, the location where the selling is taking place, the time of day that the activity is heaviest, and the type of activity that is occurring.