The Multi Agency Drug Enforcement Team was created and put to service in November 2003 combining the agents from the Marion County Sheriff's Drug Enforcement Team with the members of the Ocala Police Department's Targeted Crimes Unit. 

The team is headed up by a team director with two front line supervisors.  We receive direction and over sight by a governing board made up of Chief Williams, Sheriff Dean, two administrative officers from each agency and, Brad King the State Attorney for the 5th Judicial Circuit.

The Multi Agency Drug Enforcement Team's focus is street and mid-level drug investigations to include gambling and vice related complaints. As a method of enforcing laws relating to these violations we regularly conduct sting and reverse operations. In sting operations typically use an undercover officer posing as a street dealer of drugs or a prostitute. When an individual approaches the officer and engages in a transaction the subject is arrested. These types of operations are designed to try to ward off would be customers from frequenting the area in the future. In reverse operations, undercover officers pose as customers seeking drugs or acts of prostitution. In these operations the drug dealer and the prostitutes are subjected to arrest. 

Agents regularly conduct operations utilizing an undercover officer or informant to buy drugs from street dealers. Well hidden cameras usually capture the transaction and are used to help identify the culprit and to supplement witness testimony in court. Agents will typically generate 20-30 cases through out and area of operation. Then we will conduct a roundup and arrest those captured on video. 

The Team executes numerous Search Warrants. Agents utilizing undercover operatives infiltrate homes and conveyances in an attempt to gather the required probable cause to justify a Search Warrant. Once the Team executes these warrants, attempts to notify the owners of the property are made by certified mail. The owner of the property is given an opportunity to get involved and correct the situation. If the violations continue, then proceedings to confiscate the property are forwarded to the Nuisance and Abatement Board.

The team works closely with and lends support to the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team to combat the upper level drug organizations. “U-DEST” is a drug enforcement team made up of agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Marion County Sheriff's Office and the Ocala Police Department. While their focus is with larger drug organizations, this team conducts investigations into money laundering organizations and drug trafficking events.

To report suspected drug activity to a unit member please call (352) 291-6050. Agents are available Monday-Friday 8:00AM until 6:00PM. After hours please call (352) 369-7000 and the information will be forwarded to a unit member. 

Suspected drug activity can be reported by contacting Crime Stoppers at (352) 368-STOP (7867). You can make the report suspected activity anytime and remain anonymous while being eligible for a reward of up to $1000.