On April 30, 2025, in Chicago, the International Narcotics Interdiction Association (INIA) awarded the LA HIDTA VIPER team with the Cooperative Effort of the Year Award. This recognition was given for their outstanding work in counter-drug efforts, specifically targeting narcotics trafficking and transportation in Southern California.
The Los Angeles HIDTA VIPER initiative comprises interdiction teams from San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange County. The initiative has conducted nearly 6,000 traffic stops during the evaluation period and achieved notable seizures of illicit currency and narcotics. It also emphasizes intelligence sharing through resources like the LA HIDTA INCH/VIPER DHE bulletin and provides hands-on training to both HIDTA and non-HIDTA agencies.
The VIPER initiative is seen as a model for interagency coordination and innovative enforcement. By integrating large-scale operations with critical training and information exchange, it has significantly disrupted drug trafficking across California. The collaboration involves federal, state, and local partners focusing on key transportation corridors such as Interstates 5, 10, 15, and 40. Enforcement activities have been carried out in Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, Kern, Sacramento, and Santa Barbara counties.
In one year of proactive enforcement by VIPER:
– $2,220,260 in illicit U.S. currency was seized.
– Methamphetamine seizures amounted to 2,171.14 pounds.
– Cocaine seizures totaled 912.9 pounds.
– Processed marijuana accounted for 759 pounds.
– Fentanyl pills weighed at 372.94 pounds (1,689,418 pills).
– Powdered fentanyl came to 79.96 pounds.
– Liquid methamphetamine weighed at 43.6 pounds.
– Heroin seizures totaled nine pounds.
– Eight firearms were confiscated.
These results highlight VIPER’s commitment to proactive enforcement driven by intelligence and its role in combating drug trafficking within California.
The Los Angeles HIDTA VIPER initiative shows dedication to reducing drug trafficking through collaboration and strategic enforcement while enhancing safety for interdiction teams nationwide.
Refer: Public Affairs Division
Station: Gangs/Narcotics Division
Phone No.: (909) 387-3700
SHANNON D. DICUS
Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
