INDIANAPOLIS — Seven members of the Indiana State Police Indianapolis District's All Crimes Policing squad are working diligently to keep the public safe.
The squad, which began in January 2023, consists of experienced troopers who have backgrounds in drug and gun investigations, drug interdiction techniques, and criminal investigations.
"It's, 'What does not look normal?' What makes this person stand out from the general traveling public?" said Indiana State Police Sgt. Nate Raney, a member of the ACP Squad.
According to ISP, the squad uses analytical data to identify high-crime areas and then strategically works together to monitor and patrol those areas to stop criminal activities. Troopers say they focus on trends and their proactive patrols are getting results.
"Not only conduct a traffic stop, but we take the investigation beyond the traffic stop," Sgt. Raney said. "We conduct follow ups and see how else we can make an impact beyond the traffic stop itself."
The squad has made 191 arrests between Jan. 1 and April 30, serving 22 search warrants as a result of their investigations.
During that time, the squad recovered and seized:
- 852 grams of methamphetamine
- 14,025 grams (31 pounds) of cocaine
- 86.5 grams of heroin
- 5 grams of synthetic heroin
- 1 gram of ectasy
- 61 pounds of marijuana
- $25,129 in suspected drug money
- 38 guns
- 36 stolen cars
The squad also located 12 missing people and/or human trafficking victims in the first four months of the year.
Success of ISP Indianapolis District's ACP squad
"Nearly every crime is connected to another crime. Nearly every criminal is connected to another criminal," ISP Sgt. John Perrine said. "This squad is able to really focus on going down those paths, connecting the dots and leading those crimes from one crime to another where one criminal interaction is leading to dozens of arrests."
A traffic stop Wednesday was a key example. 13News rode along with Raney and Trooper Lim Chol, in an area they say often leads to further investigations.
At 21st and Shadeland, they found a vehicle that had broken down and simply stopped to help.
"We're just going to find out what's going on here," Rany said.
Turned out, the car had bad plates that didn't match the vehicle. The driver's license was no good. Plus, troopers discovered possible drugs.
"There's empty plastic baggies all over the car," Raney said. "Looks like he's got drug residue on him."
So they called in a K-9 and found a white powdery substance. The couple claimed it was Spice, or synthetic marijuana – but the squad investigated.
"They had the powder, which is kind of uncommon. Usually it's already on the leaves whenever we find it on the street," Raney said. "So I want to send it, see what it actually tests for. I don't believe that it's synthetic marijuana powder. But that's what they're claiming it is."
A field test confirmed his instincts.
"It's positive for fentanyl," Raney said, sharing the field test results. "See the blue it's turning here? That means fentanyl."
Now a lab will test and confirm the drug.
Meanwhile, the squad will use information gathered at this scene to hunt down the dealer, all using clues from a simple traffic stop.
"We want to know where this stuff is coming from. We want to intercept it," Raney said. "Yeah, broken down car and bad license plate is all that it came down to."
You can report illegal drug activity or crime in your area by calling the Indiana State Police Tip Line at 1-800-453-4756.