How to Anonymously Report Drug Smuggling

Drug smuggling is the illegal manufacturing, packaging and distribution of psychoactive drugs. In the United States, you can anonymously report this crime through a number of channels. Follow these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Telephone

Report Drug Smuggling

1. Contact the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) to submit tips on its official Web site (see Resources below).
2. Call 9-1-1. To report drug smuggling anonymously, tell the operator you do not want your name or address provided to the responding law enforcement officers.
3. Locate your local unit of Crime Stoppers (see Resources below). As an international crime prevention group, Crime Stoppers accepts tips anonymously and offers cash rewards for tips that lead to the arrest and indictment of felons.
4. Call the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's 24-hour tip line at 1-800-BE-ALERT, or contact your local office. Tips are always taken anonymously, and you could be eligible for a cash reward.
5. Submit a tip anonymously to WeTip online or by calling 1-800-78-CRIME (see Resources below). WeTip operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Cash rewards of up to $1,000 may be given.
6. Submit tips to local law enforcement personnel, but request anonymity first.

Take the Next Step

7. Start a neighborhood advocacy group to combat specific problems in your area. Crime Stoppers or Neighborhood Watch are examples of such citizen-based groups seeking to prevent crime at the local level.
8. Report any additional information. Sometimes all the details of what you've seen may not be remembered until later. It's best to provide any additional information you may later recall, even if it seems unnecessary.
9. Ask for any identifying information about the tip you provided. That way, if you call back to check the status of the suspect or your reward, information can be easily and privately retrieved.

Tips & Warnings

• Always request anonymity when making a tip about drug smuggling. Otherwise, your right to anonymity may be waived.
• Countries that manufacture of illegal drugs often have more tolerant national drug policies, coupled with a much lower rate of drug consumption.
• Always protect your identity if you are afraid of retribution or retaliation. Drug smuggling is a serious felony carrying major penalties, and it often involves other types of crime, such as organized crime rings or gangs, prostitution and violence.