report drug dealing online

Getting Involved

You can help in the fight against crime and terrorism. The Pennsylvania State Police encourages you to provide tips that will assist law enforcement. 

Terrorism/Fugitive Tip Line

1-888-292-1919, [email protected].

Use this number to report suspicious individuals or activity that may be associated with terrorists or terroristic activity and to report information on individuals listed on the Pennsylvania State Police Top Ten Most Wanted Poster . Individuals reporting information will not necessarily be contacted.

See Something Send Something

See Something Send Something  is a nationwide suspicious activity reporting tool to help in the fight against terrorism. Downloads available for Apple and Android devices.

Drug Trafficking Tip Line

1-877-pa-nodrugs.

Report drug traffickers in your neighborhood 24 hours a day via this toll-free hotline.

Megan's Law Tip Line

1-866-771-3170.

If you believe any of the information found within  Pennsylvania Megan's Law registry is inaccurate, please contact the Megan's Law Section.

Underage Drinking Tip Line

1-888-under21.

Callers, who can remain anonymous , are asked to provide tips about planned events involving underage drinkers or about parties already underway. 

Liquor Enforcement Complaint Hotline

1-800-932-0602.

The Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement operates a toll-free hotline to receive complaints about violations of the Liquor Code. Please include the name and address of the licensee or speakeasy operator, days of the week or time of day the violations are occurring, or any other information that could assist the investigation. All information is kept confidential. Complaints may also be submitted via the  Online Liquor Control Complaint Form .

PA Crime Stoppers

1-800-4pa-tips.

If you have information about a  PA Crime Stoppers release, call the Crime Stoppers Hotline. Each caller is assigned a special code number and not required to give a name.

Submit a Crime Tip​ Anonymously

WeTip makes it easy to submit a confidential tip. To report a crime anonymously online, all you need is to submit a crime tip. WeTip promises and ensures absolute anonymity, not just confidentiality. WeTip provides intelligence and information to local, state, federal and international law enforcement agencies relating to criminal activity obtained from an online and telephone crime reporting hotline.

Submit A Crime Tip - FAQs

If you’re wondering where to report online threats without having to worry about confidentiality, WeTip is the service you need. When you call WeTip’s line to submit an anonymous police tip (or you submit an anonymous police report online), your name is never disclosed publicly. Instead, the tipster is given a code number that he or she uses for all future communications with WeTip. The tipster is asked to keep full confidentiality and anonymity when they report crime anonymously.

After that, WeTip provides intelligence and information to local, state, federal, and international law enforcement agencies relating to the reported criminal activity, much like calling a police anonymous tip line . The main difference between using an anonymous police tip line and WeTip to anonymously report a crime is that WeTip adds a middle-man for additional identity protection during anonymous crime reporting .

You have several options to report a crime anonymously online, thanks to WeTip’s effective toolkit for anonymous reporting . When trying to decide how to anonymously report a crime, we know that it's important to have options. Whether you need to report drug trafficking, report self harm, report suspicious activity, report someone with warrants, report theft, report crimes against children, or report prostitution to police, anonymous reporting services like WeTip can keep your identity hidden and you safe.

That includes anonymous tip web forms, text tips (very similar to when you text a tip to police authorities), QR codes, and mobile app. Anyone can report an anonymous tip to police authorities. You can even submit multiple crime tips online, like a police theft report and a report of cyberbullying.

The police would review the submitted crime tip, like a theft report, and confirm its legitimacy. If the information of the reported crime tip turns out to be part of an ongoing investigation, the information is included in a warrant affidavit. That alone won’t be enough to issue a search or arrest warrant but the submitted crime tip information could play a key role in the follow-up actions that would lead to a warrant.

On many occasions, the submitted crime tips could be traced by a criminal defense attorney, thus revealing the identity of the tipster. However, the tipster is listed as a “confidential witness”. 

If you're concerned about your safety it's only natural to wonder how to report drug dealers or how to report a drug house anonymously. It’s recommended to use a crime reporting agency such as WeTip that guarantees your anonymous tips to police remain anonymous. By using an anonymous drug tip line or a probation violator tip line, you can send a tip to report drug activity online (or other criminal activity) without giving your name.

WeTip offers access to anonymous crime reporting online, via a mobile app, or via a hotline. After that, a six-digit case number is given to you that you use for all subsequent communications with the agency. Moreover, you are asked to keep full confidentiality. That's the best way to submit crime tips online.

With the opioid epidemic ravaging the United States, concerned citizens are wondering how to anonymously report a drug dealer and how to report drug trafficking. At WeTip, we have a dedicated online anonymous tip line for drugs, a drug tip hotline for the phone, and an app that enables you to submit an anonymous police report online. Whether you call our anonymous drug tip hotline, or report drunk driver anonymously online, our system makes it easy to learn how to report a drug dealer without the risk of retaliation. When you wonder how to report a drug crime anonymously, submit an anonymous tip to police with WeTip, because your identity is secure and the only "identifying" information associated with the tip is your 6-digit case number.

Yes, you can remain anonymous when reporting a crime. In fact, you’re asked not to reveal your identity. When reporting drug users to police, there is often a need to report drug activity anonymously. In addition, mandated reporters are obligated to report possible crimes against children. These situations can be tense without the veil of anonymity whenever the parties have to interact. Even if you’re not sure how to report suspicious activity in my neighborhood anonymously, WeTip’s technology makes it easy. 

An anonymous report to police can help law enforcement locate and stop criminal activity. When you submit a tip to our anonymous tip line police receive only the information you share. That means that submitting your anonymous police tip online with WeTip will protect your identity and the confidential tip gives law enforcement the information they need to act.

Once you report a crime tip to a crime reporting agency, they provide the reported information to local, state, federal and international law enforcement authorities, all while keeping your identity safe.

With WeTip, anonymous police reports are easier than ever. When you report anonymous crime tips to WeTip, using any of our various reporting tools, we submit the police anonymous tip for you. 

You don't have to call the police yourself; simply use our web forms, app, or one of our tip hotlines to report criminal activity safely and anonymously.

If you’re wondering how to report threats, submit a confidential tip, you can call any of WeTip's phone lines. You can also do that via confidential web forms or by using text tips or the mobile app. Your identity is never revealed.

When researching how to file a police report for vandalism, you can choose to report the crime directly to the police or via an anonymous tip line. When you use our app to report graffiti, you eliminate many stages of the process and no longer need to wonder how to report graffiti or “Who do I report graffiti to?”

There are many questions that surround mandated reporting. Do therapists have to report self harm? Do teachers have to report self harm?  Where do you report cyber crimes against children and where can I report criminal sex crimes? Mandated reporters, such as healthcare workers, social workers, and school staff, can use WeTip to make an anonymous call online to take the guesswork out of how to report cyber sex crimes and crimes against children. 

When trying to learn how to report arson anonymously, you need to learn how to report suspicious activity with tools like WeTip. We offer a range of anonymous tipping options to accommodate your communication preferences. Knowing your options for reporting crimes like arson allows conscientious citizens to make an informed choice about how to report arson without putting themselves at risk.

Yes. If you’re wondering how to report people with warrants, you can use an anonymous tip service like WeTip to protect your anonymity with an added layer of confidentiality. 

Yes. You may submit tips to WeTip for any suspicious or criminal activity and it will be passed on to the relevant authorities to investigate.

An official website of the United States government

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Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Report a Crime or Submit a Complaint

If this is an emergency, contact 911 immediately. .

This resource page contains information on reporting various types of crimes to Justice Department components and other government agencies and trusted partners.

Here, you can also learn how to submit complaints related to discrimination or civil rights violations and complaints against DOJ employees or DOJ-funded organizations. 

Report a Crime

Submit a complaint.

Violent Crime

• Submit an FBI Tip online, or call your local FBI field office  or Legal Attaché Office (U.S. citizens overseas)

Child Pornography and/or Sexual Exploitation of Children

• Call your local FBI field office  or Legal Attaché Office
• 800-THE-LOST (800-843-5678)
• For more information see the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

Civil Rights Violations

Submit a report on the Civil Rights Reporting Portal

Domestic Violence

• En Español: La Línea Nacional Contra la Violencia Domėstica
• See the OVW Domestic Violence page for more resources

Human Trafficking

• National Human Trafficking Hotline : 888-373-7888 (voice and TTY)
• Anonymous tip form
• Para registrar su queja o obtener ayuda, llame gratis a 888-373-7888 (linea directa y de TTY para personas con incapacidad auditiva)
• For more information, see Extraterritorial Sexual Exploitation of Children
• Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit
• 866-347-2423 (toll free)
• 802-872-6199 (Non toll free international)
• Report a tip online
• Submit an FBI Tip online, or call your local FBI field office  or Legal Attaché Office (U.S. citizens located overseas)
• FBI Seeking Information: Terrorism
• FBI Most Wanted terrorists
• Wanted by the FBI Domestic Terrorism
• Illegal drug trafficking: submit a Tip online or call your local DEA office
• 877-RxAbuse (877-792-2873)
• See Report a Hate Crime  for more information.
• Los Delitos de Odio: Consiga Ayuda Ahora.

Crimes Involving Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, or Explosives

• ATF TIPS: Anonymous tips may be submitted to ATF through the ReportIt® mobile app, available on both Google Play  and the Apple App Store , or by visiting www.reportit.com . The app allows users to submit tips about crimes that involve firearms, violent crime, explosives and arson.
• 888-ATF-FIRE (888-283-3473)
• 888-ATF-BOMB (888-283-2662)
• 800-ATF-GUNS (800-283-4867)
• 888-930-9275
• 800-461-8841
• 888-283-8477
• Report bankruptcy fraud
• Report mortgage foreclosure scams
• Disaster Fraud Hotline: 866-720-5721
• Fax: 225-334-4707
• Submit the NCDF Web Complaint Form
• Write: National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4909
• National Elder Fraud Hotline
• Toll-free Hotline: 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311)
• Report a Complaint about Waste, Fraud, Abuse, or Misconduct in the Department of Justice
• Call FBI Hotline 800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324)
• Identity Theft
• To report other types of fraud, please see the Criminal Division Report Fraud page

COVID-19 Fraud

Report COVID-19 Fraud

Computer and Internet Crime

• Internet Crime Complaint Center
• Reporting Computer Hacking, Fraud and Other Internet-Related Crime
• Reporting Intellectual Property Crime
• Spam or fraud e-mails
• Identity theft and fraud
• Mass-marketing fraud

White-Collar Crime

• 888-647-3258 or 202-307-2040
• Report Antitrust violations associated with Recovery Act funding
• Report unfair and anticompetitive practices in the livestock and poultry sectors to FarmerFairness.gov .
• Public corruption: submit an FBI Tip online or call the FBI Local Corruption Hotline

Other Crimes

See USA.gov's Reporting Crimes page for information on how to report and respond to other types of crimes and criminal behavior

Discrimination or Civil Rights Violations

If you or someone else has experienced discrimination, contact us by visiting the  Civil Rights Reporting Portal .

The Civil Rights Division enforces federal laws that protect people from unlawful discrimination. These laws apply in many settings, including:

• Stores and businesses
• Public spaces
• Public benefits
• Government services

These laws protect people from discrimination based on many factors, including:

• National origin
• Immigration & citizenship status
• Family status
• Servicemember status
• Genetic information

We also enforce laws that protect people from human trafficking, law enforcement misconduct, and hate crimes.

Information about our language assistance services  - This includes instructions in Arabic, Chinese Traditional, Chinese Simplified, French, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

Complaints Against DOJ Employees or DOJ-Funded Organizations

• Report waste, fraud, abuse, or misconduct
• Report violations of civil rights or civil liberties
• File a complaint with the Office of Professional Responsibility
• File a discrimination complaint against a recipient of financial assistance from  OJP and COPS  or from  other Department of Justice agencies

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

United States Drug Enforcement Administration

• Get Updates
• Submit A Tip

GENERAL QUESTIONS: DEA Headquarters:  571-362-8487

Report Unlawful Activities:  1-877-792-2873 To report unlawful or suspicious activities on the Internet only Unlawful Internet Prescription Drug Sales or Suspicious Online Pharmacies   To report pharmaceutical drugs (i.e., oxycodone, hydrocodone, etc.); doctors and pharmacies Illegal Prescription Drug Sales/Distribution (RX Abuse Online Reporting)

MEDIA/PRESS INQUIRIES: Office of Public Affairs [email protected]

DRUG PREVENTION AND EDUCATION: Office of Public Affairs, Community Outreach Section drug prevention questions: (202) 307-7936 [email protected]

REGISTRATION AND MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS: Medical Practitioners Drug Registrant Information: (800) 882-9539

Drug Enforcement Administration Attn: Office of Diversion Control 8701 Morrissette Drive Springfield, VA 22152 Registration questions:  [email protected]

DEA POLICY QUESTIONS : Liaison and Policy Section Conferences, Publications, Communications, Customer Service Plan For interpretation and guidance on DEA policies and regulations. DEA Policy Questions should be sent in writing. DEA Diversion Control Division Attn: Liaison and Policy Section  8701 Morrissette Drive  Springfield, VA 22152

Contact the Diversion Control Division 202-307-7297 [email protected] [email protected]

Social Media Directory

The Drug Enforcement Administration uses a variety of social media outlets to provide accurate, official information to the public. These social media sites are commercial sites and not required to follow government standards.  Before visiting the sites, become familiar with their privacy policies and usage rules.

Contact Us on Social Media

The Drug Enforcement Administration uses a variety of social media outlets to provide accurate, official information to the public. These social media sites are commercial sites and not required to follow government standards.  

Before visiting the sites, become familiar with their privacy policies and usage rules.

Drug Enforcement Administration - DEA     @DEAHQ

Drug Enforcement Administration Page

DEA-DrugEnforcement Admin.      @deahq

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)  

You may also want to review the Department of Justice's policies on social media:

• Visiting Official Department of Justice Pages on Third-Party Websites
• Links to Other Websites

Report Employee Misconduct

DEA takes allegations of misconduct seriously.  DEA employees are held to the highest standards of conduct.  DEA works hard to ensure that its employees serve the public with honesty, integrity, and professionalism.  If you believe that a DEA employee or Task Force Officer has committed misconduct, please report it to [email protected] .  Potential misconduct includes corruption involving bribery, embezzlement, espionage, smuggling, or other crimes; civil rights abuses involving custodial deaths, denial of rights, improper profiling or bias, or excessive use of force; and/or criminal or non-criminal misconduct involving abuse or violence; unauthorized use of DEA systems, equipment, or authority; suspicious activity; governmental ethics violations; or prohibited personnel practices.

DEA. 3 June, 2018. Contact Us. Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/who-we-are/contact-us on 1 April, 2024

DEA. "Contact Us." Drug Enforcement Agency , 3 June, 2018, https://www.dea.gov/who-we-are/contact-us Accessed 1 April, 2024.

DEA. . Drug Enforcement Agency on DEA website. https://www.dea.gov/who-we-are/contact-us. 3 June, 2018. Accessed 1 April, 2024.

Alcohol Use Disorder

• Binge Drinking
• Drinking Problem

Illegal Drug Addiction

Prescriptions.

• Benzodiazepines
• Antidepressants
• Inpatient Rehab
• Residential Rehab

Alcohol Rehab

• Methadone Clinics
• Sober Living
• Family Therapy

Recovery Programs

• 12-Step Programs
• SMART Recovery
• Families of Addicts

Early Recovery

• Stages of Change
• Handle Triggers
• Rehab Insights

Sustained Recovery

• Sober Curious Life

Long-Term Recovery

• Jellinek Curve
• Life After Rehab

Find Treatment

• Find Addiction Center
• Find Suboxone Center

What Happens If I Report a Drug Dealer?

In This Article

Awareness-building within communities is the best way to reduce drug use and circulation. This is why various local and national agencies are available to respond to threats of drug-related activities in your neighborhood.

However, people fear reporting drug users and distributors for numerous reasons. Knowing the safest avenues when taking action against drug-related crimes can go a long way.

This blog covers the importance of reporting drug-related activities, their repercussions in the community, and how to report illicit activities to the authorities safely.

What Happens if I Report a Drug Dealer?

When you report drug dealing, an officer will verify your claim by observing and collecting the necessary evidence to present in court. If the officer confirms that the suspected drug activity is legitimate, they will arrest and charge the perpetrator following local legislation.

Will There be Legal Implications or Protection for the Reporter?

Depending on your state, you may receive protection when you report drug activity through the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA). However, protection extends only to federal employees who report suspected drug activity within their agencies. 

Suppose you perceive an immediate threat to your life or the lives of others. In that case, entering the witness protection program is possible, which provides relocation, identity changes, and other security measures.

Your record may receive a possible violation if you misperceive a situation and file a false police report.

Can Reporting Lead to Rewards or Compensation?

In some cases, reporting drug deals or providing information that leads to the arrest and conviction of individuals involved in drug-related crimes can result in rewards or compensation. Law enforcement agencies or government organizations often set up these incentives to encourage individuals to come forward with information that helps combat illegal drug activities.

The reward criteria vary by jurisdiction and the case's specific circumstances. National organizations that offer compensation when you report drug dealing include:

• Crime Stoppers
• Narcotics Rewards Program (NRP)
• Federal Informant Reward Program by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

Some law enforcement agencies use assets seized from drug-related criminal operations to fund reward programs.

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Answer a few questions to get started

Things to Consider Before Reporting Drug Activity

If you suspect drug activity in your area, it’s best to have as much information as possible before contacting the police.

To present accurate tip details to authorities, include the following information:

• The date and time you witnessed the possible drug activity
• The street address where you saw the deal occur
• A thorough description of anyone involved (number of people, physical attributes, how often they appear, known names or aliases)
• Details about related vehicles (make and model, license plate)

How Can You Ensure Your Safety When Reporting?

It isn’t unlikely for someone selling drugs to be involved in other criminal activity. This is why many people feel discouraged from providing information to law enforcement.

Fortunately, you can ensure personal safety through anonymous tips. You should also refrain from discussing this information with others. If you suspect your identity may be compromised, consider staying with a family member while waiting for the authorities to respond.

Get Professional Help

BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor.

How Can You Report a Drug Dealer or Activity?

There are several ways to report a drug dealer:

• Over the phone
• Through a mobile application
• In-person, at your police department
• Online platforms

Official Avenues for Reporting Criminal Drug-Related Activity

If you see someone selling illicit/misused drugs or prescription medication, you can report them through these official avenues:

• Crime Stoppers: This national organization connects local programs nationwide and allows witnesses to report drug activity online without providing personal information.
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Individuals can submit tips for the distribution and trafficking of controlled substances through the DEA’s website. In Indiana, INSPECT tracks controlled substance prescriptions except methadone, which appears in the Lighthouse Central Registry.
• Local Police: It’s best to report immediate threats involving illegal substances to your local law enforcement authority to prevent severe injury or death.

When reporting illegal activity, you must prioritize your safety and well-being. In certain situations, it may be best to report drug activity anonymously.

Can You Report Drug Activity Anonymously?

If you prefer not to disclose personal information, you can make an anonymous phone call. 

Here’s how to make an anonymous phone call to report drug activity:

• Call your local police department.
• Use an anonymous reporting system like a dedicated hotline, website, or mobile application.
• Prepare the appropriate information. If using a website, answer the online form as thoroughly as possible.
• Receive a report number, which you can use to receive updates and potential rewards.

Common Concerns and Questions on Reporting Drug-Related Activities

Is it always safe to report a drug dealer.

It isn’t always safe to report a drug dealer, especially if they are involved in other crimes. Fortunately, you can remain anonymous when contacting several channels handled by the authorities.

How can you ensure your report leads to action?

The best way to achieve legal prosecution against a criminal is to provide as much information as possible. Even if you anonymously report suspicious activity and can’t be reached afterward, it’s imperative to provide enough resources and evidence to get a conviction.

Can there be legal repercussions for false reports?

You can receive a violation if you mistake suspicious activity for something else. Gathering as much information as possible before reporting suspected drug dealing is best.

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Why is Reporting Drug Activity Important?

Reporting drug activity is important because it helps guarantee the safety of others who live near where the activity is taking place.

Landlords knowingly housing drug dealers can become subject to imprisonment, sizable fines, and community service. Depending on the severity of the activity, an estate owner can risk their building’s condemnation.

Besides the legal implications of having drug dealers in the neighborhood, there are also wider implications of inaction toward drug dealing in the community.

Increased Crime Rates Due to Drug Dealing

Substance use in the United States costs $740 billion yearly. Drug trafficking forces communities to fund more police officers to manage violent crime, leading to property loss due to poor neighborhood reputation. 7

Increased Risk of Displaced Families from Drug and Criminal Activity

Drug dealing also leads to negative societal costs, as 70% of neglected and abused children come from homes with drug and criminal activity. 1,6 Social service child welfare programs cost $23 billion yearly—not nearly enough to support displaced children. 8

Economic Consequences of Drug Dealing

Employees using and selling drugs can make costly errors and incur healthcare costs that negatively impact a company’s insurance policies. 2 Even minor drug activity can contribute to the nation’s astronomical drug use costs (roughly $11 billion yearly). 3,4

In 2022, roughly 7.7 billion emergency department visits were drug-related. 5 Thus, addiction prevention and reporting drug activity is the most effective way to reduce drug-related costs.

What Other Resources are Available for Substance Abuse Concerns?

If a friend or family member misuses controlled substances, many treatment options are available to help them. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, addiction treatment produces a savings-to-cost ratio of 12 to 1 regarding crime and healthcare. 4

Many states have community programs to rehabilitate addicted individuals, providing opportunities for reintegration into society.

Drug dealers and street-level drug dealing can lead to severe socioeconomic consequences within a community. Because dealers are often involved in other crimes, civilians may feel discouraged from going to the authorities. 

Fortunately, you can anonymously report suspicious activity through the phone, online, or with a mobile application. Groups like Crime Stoppers have mitigated the fear and risk of taking action against dangerous activities.

If you know someone suffering from addiction, the best action is to consider treatment options with help from addiction specialists.

What's Next?

• What Is Rehab Like?
• Why Call an Addiction Hotline?
• How to Sober Up
• Tapering off of alcohol

Get matched with an affordable mental health counselor

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Medically Reviewed by: Annamarie Coy

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What to Know About Tapering Off Alcohol

How to Help an Addict Who Doesn’t Want Help

• Johnson et al. “ Substance Abuse Disorders among Homeless and Runaway Adolescents.” Journal of Drug Issues, 2005.
• Jalali et al. “Economic evaluation in the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network: Past, present, and future.” Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 2020.
• “New research examines the cost of crime in the U.S., estimated to be $2.6 trillion in a single year.” Vanderbilt University, 2021.
• Miller, T. and Henry, D. “Substance Abuse Prevention Dollars and Cents: A Cost-Benefit Analysis.” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2008.
• “ Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN): Findings from Drug-Related Emergency Department Visits.” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2022.
• French et al. “Economic evaluation of a prerelease substance abuse treatment program for repeat criminal offenders.” Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 2010.
• Bah, Y.M. “Drug Abuse among Street Children. Clinical research in HIV AIDS and prevention.” Journal of Clinical Research in HIV, AIDS, and Prevention, 2018.
• McCollister et al. “The cost of crime to society: New crime-specific estimates for policy and program evaluation.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2010.
• Pidd, K., and Roche, A.M. “How effective is drug testing as a workplace safety strategy? A systematic review of the evidence.” Accident Analysis and Prevention, 2014.

Related Pages

• What Is a Sober Companion and What Do They Do? If you're struggling with addiction, you may be wondering if...
• How to Date an Alcoholic & The Risks of Being with An Alcoholic It is hard to figure out how to help a...
• What Are the Chances of Sobriety Success? Key Takeaways What Percentage of Alcoholics Recover? 27.5 million Americans...
• How to Help an Alcoholic Husband Dealing with an alcoholic husband can be difficult. Learn how...
• What to Know About Tapering Off Alcohol Learn how to get through the difficult process of tapering...
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Evidence Based

Who answers.

RX Abuse Online Reporting: Report Incident

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Report a crime

Find out who to contact to get immediate help in an emergency, file a police report, and report different types of crime.

What to do in an emergency

To report an emergency outside your area, you must contact the local law enforcement agency where the emergency is taking place. Search online for that local law enforcement agency’s website to find their 10-digit phone number.

How to file a police report or report crime anonymously

To file a police report, search online for the local law enforcement agency’s contact information where the crime occurred. 

Most local law enforcement agencies accept anonymous tips or crime reports online or by phone. To learn more, contact your local police department.

How to report a crime

Crimes involving children.

Child abuse and neglect:

• Call 911 in an emergency.
• Contact your state child protective agency .
• Call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).
• Text 1-800-422-4453.
• Report abuse through live chat.

Child pornography

• File a report online at CyberTipline.org .
• Call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

Kidnapping inside the U.S.

• Call 911 in an emergency
• Call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) and learn what to do if your child is missing .

International kidnapping

• If your child is still in the U.S., call 911. And learn from the Department of State how to stop a child abduction in progress . 
• Your local law enforcement
• The Department of State Office of Children’s Issues

Human trafficking

• File a report online at CyberTipline.org . 

Domestic abuse

• Call 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233).
• Text “START” to 88788.
• Report abuse through a live chat on their website.

Cyber crime or illegal website activity

• Report internet crime to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) .
• Contact your local FBI field office .
• Call 1-888-373-7888.
• Text HELP to 233733 (BEFREE).
• Email [email protected] .
• Chat live online through the Human Trafficking Hotline Web Chat .

Sexual assault

• Connect with a counselor anonymously by calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673).
• Talk to an advocate, and find resources in your state by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233).
• Call 1-866-331-9474.
• Text LOVEIS to 22522.
• Chat live online .

Restraining orders

• To file for a restraining order against someone, you must contact your local court system. Learn more about restraining orders from the National Domestic Violence Hotline , and call them at 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) to find resources near you.
• Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
• Contact the National Center for Victims of Crime’s VictimConnect Resource Center at 1-855-4-VICTIM (1-855-484-2846) to find resources and understand your rights.

Hate crimes

• Submit a tip online to the FBI.
• Call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

Bomb threat

• Contact your building’s supervisor first.
• If you cannot reach your building supervisor, call 911. 
• If someone makes the bomb threat by phone
• If you discover a suspicious item that you think may be a bomb

Organized crime

Whistleblower protection.

If you have experienced retaliation for reporting workplace violations, learn how to file a whistleblower complaint. You can do so through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) :

• By mail and email
• In person at a local or regional OSHA office

Report international crimes

To report an international crime, contact your local law enforcement agency. They may ask Interpol to help.

Interpol is an intergovernmental agency that helps national police agencies work together to solve international crimes. However, Interpol does not accept crime reports directly from the public.

LAST UPDATED: February 13, 2024

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Staying Safe and Anonymous When Reporting Drug Dealing

Drug trafficking is more than just a criminal justice problem; it often spreads systematically to American communities where street-level drug dealing creates more than just a nuisance. In some cases, retail sales of controlled substances can attract criminal elements and violence.

People who do not want the blight and danger of drug dealing in their neighborhoods will often refrain from reporting this type of criminal activity for various reasons, the risk of being targeted for violent reprisal being the most obvious. Another reason is that individuals who do the reporting may worry about getting ensnared in a criminal investigation; this is often the case with people who are occasional drug users themselves, or who may have a criminal record.

As with anything else in life, reporting crime could have consequences; however, individuals who are directly impacted by crime should think of themselves as victims. To this effect, all law enforcement agencies in the United States are expected to have programs in place to protect victims, but this does not mean that information does not leak out of police departments.

When it comes to criminal activity at the community level, looking the other way or waiting on others to report the situation to law enforcement may only exacerbate the problem. Anonymous reporting is a better option, but it should be done properly. Walking into a police station and requesting anonymity or immunity is not a good idea because officers and prosecutors will want to use the person making the report a witness; moreover and as previously explain, what happens in the precinct does not always stay in the precinct.

Anonymous Reporting Through Crime Stoppers USA

In North America, the best way to report drug dealing and staying anonymous is to call Crime Stoppers, a national network that operates on a non-profit basis while collaborating with law enforcement agencies at federal, state and county levels. Crime Stoppers USA has been operating since the mid-1970s, and it has an excellent track record of protecting the identities of callers. The main telephone number operated by Crime Stoppers is 1-800-222-TIPS. All information is forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agency in a confidential manner; callers are also given a case number that they can use to check on the status of their tips.

Reporting drug dealing to Crime Stoppers is ideal for drug dens and street-level activity. Individuals who have information about high-level trafficking such as international smuggling conducted by transnational cartels may be better off reporting tips to the Drug Enforcement Agency.

The DEA.gov website has a link where concerned individuals can submit tips online by means of a web form; however, staying anonymous in this case will require the use of a proxy server or virtual private network. Using a personal smartphone or home computer will negate all anonymity; those who wish to stay truly anonymous should use a VPN or at least a portable version of the TOR browser so that they can conceal their IP address and digital trail.

Jim Treebold is a North Carolina based writer. He lives by the mantra of “Learn 1 new thing each day”! Jim loves to write, read, pedal around on his electric bike and dream of big things. Drop him a line if you like his writing, he loves hearing from his readers!

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Drug Tip Line

1-866-424-4382.

Operation UNITE provides a toll-free Drug Tip Line as a way for residents to anonymously report suspicious activity in its service region. This line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for callers to leave confidential tip information on an answering machine.

UNITE detectives will listen to every message, and delete them once the time information is logged. You may remain anonymous. However, if you would like to speak with a detective regarding your drug tip, please provide your name and a call-back number.

No piece of information is too small. Please remember that it takes time to investigate drug tips and you should not expect to see immediate results.

If you believe the behavior you are reporting poses the threat of imminent harm to others you should call 911.

When You Call

Callers should provide detailed information, such as:

• County, city or other jurisdiction in which the suspicious activity is taking place
• Road name or highway number where the activity is occurring
• Name(s) of the people involved in the activity
• A description of the activity that is taking place
• Time of day the activity was observed
• What types of drugs are involved
• A description of any vehicles involved, including license tag number
• Whether there are children in the home or around the activity
• If there are any guns or other weapons at that location

We currently offer language translations on our site primarily through Google Translate. This helps visitors find and use information in the languages they speak, but the tool is not perfect. Automated translation may be inaccurate or errors may display on translated pages.

Google Translate is an external website. King County does not control the quality or accuracy of translated content.

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Narcotics Activity Reporting

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Welcome to the King County Sheriff's Office Online Reporting System.

NOTE: If you believe you have located suspected dumped chemicals from a meth lab, please call (206) 296-3311 to report the location. DO NOT APPROACH OR TOUCH ANY CONTAINERS THAT MAY HOLD CHEMICALS .

Online reporting is a fast and effective way of reporting illegal drug activity in your neighborhood. You may remain anonymous, but you must provide a valid email address and phone number. Detectives may need to contact you for more information to investigate your report.

Illegal drug activity can create environmental hazards (e.g., meth labs) and damage the integrity of your neighborhood. The information you provide can help direct us to problem areas in your community.

Explain why you think illegal activity is occurring. Provide as much detail as you have about the location, persons, and vehicles involved.

By clicking the "START REPORT BY CLICKING HERE" button you certify that you understand filing a false report is a crime.

Start Report By Clicking Here  

What Happens if I Report a Drug Dealer?

• Addressing the Hesitation Behind Taking Action

Table of Contents

Is it Dangerous to Report a Drug Dealer?

How to know when you are dealing with drug dealers, how to report drug dealing, can i be rewarded for reporting a drug dealer, other resources for substance abuse, how often does reporting suspected drug activity lead to action, is it objectively dangerous to report suspected drug activity, what is the best safety precaution you can take when reporting suspected drug activity, why should you be as sure as possible before reporting suspected drug activity, medically reviewed by.

When it comes to ourselves, our families, and our communities, it is normal to want to do anything within our power to protect the people and places we love. Thus, it is not uncommon to want to take action against anything that might be perceived as a threat to that which is dear to us, and the desire to report a drug dealer can well be part of this feeling.

However, what happens when we find ourselves faced with the fear that addressing a threat may only put ourselves or others in further danger? In the face of possible drug activity occurring within our neighborhoods, there are numerous reasons to be concerned about the potential consequences of reporting this behavior.

For many families, the concern that their children may be exposed to illicit substances is reason enough to report this behavior. However, particularly when it comes to drug trafficking, many people feel that choosing to share sensitive information about this activity can have its own consequences.

Keep reading to learn more about what happens if I report a drug dealer, and how to approach the situation safely.

When it comes to individuals who sell illicit drugs, it is not uncommon for them to also be involved in other criminal activity. While these may not pose an immediate threat to the people around them, they may certainly be a cause for concern.

Because of this, it may be intimidating for individuals to want to contact their local police department when they suspect drug activity is occurring in their neighborhood. The fear of possible retaliation from the person they have reported can be more than enough to make an individual stay silent.

Furthermore, it can be hard to know how to tell if someone is actually dealing drugs. In the event that an individual misperceives a situation, filing a false report with the police may warrant a possible violation of the reporter’s personal record.

To see what substances and activities constitute illegal activity, it may be helpful to look up your state’s controlled substance laws. These should be available on any state official government organization website.

Keep in mind that our hotline is not for reporting drug dealers and that confidential tiplines set up by law enforcement are available in most municipalities.

There are several signs that may indicate a neighbor or other nearby individual is dealing drugs, of which may include:

• Frequent visitors, who may be unfriendly or standoffish, and who come and go relatively quickly (especially if seen leaving with questionable items).
• Occupants are distant, secretive, or elusive.
• Visible items associated with drug manufacturing (i.e. lithium, ammonia, drain cleaner, etc.).
• Blacked out windows, and/or outdoor storage equipment kept tightly secured (i.e., doors kept closed with a locked padlock or other security device).
• Strange or chemical-like odors.
• Occupants and visitors are often seen exchanging items (usually cash and small packages).
• Presence of drugs or drug paraphernalia (i.e., ‘dime bags’ or glassine envelopes, used needles, discarded medication bottles, etc.).
• Loitering individuals – may appear to be on the “lookout,” usually for any law enforcement authority figures that may be in the area.

If you have noticed one of your neighbors or another individual has been engaging in several of these behaviors, this may warrant bringing the situation to the attention of your local police department.

For those who wish to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers serves as a national program designed to allow individuals to submit tips about an illegal activity without providing their personal information. This can be done either via phone or by filling out an online form.

Furthermore, Crime Stoppers workers are trained to protect the identities of the individuals who contact them should they choose to provide this information.

When it comes to the type of information needed to open up an investigation into drug dealing, individuals may be asked to provide as much as they can of the following:

• Address of where suspected drug activity is taking place
• Full name(s) of the suspected individual(s)
• Descriptive information about the suspected individual(s)
• The number of visitors the occupant has, as well as the duration and frequency of these visits
• Details about any packages or items being exchanged between the individual(s) and their visitor(s)

Individuals can also report this activity through the United States Government’s official websites. These are secure websites and may include those belonging to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) or the Department of Justice (DOJ) (these will always be .gov websites).

As a means of encouraging people to continue to report cases of possible drug dealing, if an investigation yields results, individuals can receive a cash reward for their information.

Individuals will be provided a numerical code or payment code, which they can use to redeem money at a local bank. This process is anonymous and should never require a form of identification in order to receive this reward.

While it is generally a good idea to report concerns of possible drug dealing occurring in your community, there are cases in which reporting drug activity to the police is not necessarily helpful.

For example, if you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse , the best choice you can make is to seek out professional addiction treatment services. Addiction can be a stressful and debilitating condition, not just for the addicted individual, but for the people around them as well.

While reporting the people dealing drugs to your loved one forms an option, it won’t necessarily deprive them of substances and may push them further away from needed treatment.

That is why here at Find Addiction Rehabs , we are dedicated to helping you find addiction treatment resources and recovery options.

If you require substance abuse treatment, give our helpline a call now, but in order to report a drug dealer, research CrimeStoppers and make sure your confidentiality is kept throughout the process!

Starting the recovery process can be scary. But with our hotline available 24/7, one of our representatives is always available to help you make the best choice for you and your loved ones. So, call today, and let us help you get started on the path to sobriety, where you can become a happier, healthier you!

What Happens If I Report A Drug Dealer? (FAQ)

In every state, people can report suspected drug activity to the authorities. However, the response is sometimes slower and less effective than some people would like. The truth is that there aren’t enough resources to follow up on every single report or tip-off.

The short answer is that it depends on the situation, your circumstances, your surroundings, and how you report it. First and foremost, don’t call 911 if you think someone is selling drugs out of their home. Call the police instead. 911 lines are reserved for emergencies, and there’s no need for an emergency response unless someone’s life is at stake.

Do not confront the person. Even if they are within earshot, it is essential that you do not engage or make any contact. It would be best if you did not make eye contact with them while they are conducting their business. This could result in a confrontation that would compromise your safety and ability to report what you saw accurately.

The truth is that the world is still primarily one where minorities and other such groups are disproportionately discriminated against by the justice and law enforcement systems.

Reporting “suspected” drug activity without being sure can often result in innocent persons being harassed or persecuted unduly. Run your suspicions past a trusted third party, such as a loved one, clergy member, or off-duty law enforcement officer, to make sure you are making an accurate report of drug activity.

Nicole Rogers is an experienced and accomplished writer with special interests in the fields of Anthropology, English, and behavioral health, and has written countless articles for newspaper publications, institutional research journals, and Find Addiction Rehabs.

Her alma mater is Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Nicole hopes to spread awareness of and combat the stigmatization surrounding addiction and substance abuse treatment through her writing and work in the field.

As a registered nurse for over 15 years, my devotion to patient well-being extends beyond medical practice. I am a passionate advocate in the behavioral healthcare space, placing a strong emphasis on de-stigmatizing substance use and mental health disorders. I firmly believe that reliable, accurate resources are crucial, and I consistently strive to offer understanding and compassion for those seeking help and their loved ones.

My dedication to continuous learning and a spirit of collaboration have been instrumental in my professional journey. I am committed to staying current with the latest advancements in medical science and am always eager to work alongside fellow behavioral healthcare professionals at Find Addiction Rehabs.

Not in Progress or Indoors

You can report the illegal sale of drugs, chronic drug dealing, and individuals involved in such activities, in public areas.

You can also report the sale (dealing) of drugs currently in progress at an indoor public or private area, and individuals involved in such activities.

Indoor public areas may include:

• Common areas
• Apartment room

You can make the report anonymously. Reports are only accepted by phone.

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) to report the problem.

Disclaimer:

The City intends to use the data collected from this survey to generally add and improve City services. Survey participation is voluntary. Participants in this survey will not receive further communication from the City with regards to this survey.

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Drugs online: UN-backed body offers solutions to counter narcotics surge

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Drug dealers have continued to use cutting-edge digital technology, social media platforms and disinformation to sell their illegal produce, fuelling narcotics consumption globally, a UN-backed report launched on Tuesday showed. 

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) study recommends responding with the same methods, running counter-narcotics campaigns offering advice that can be trusted on popular online platforms. 

“We can see that drug trafficking is not just carried out on the dark web. Legitimate e-commerce platforms are being exploited by criminals too,” said Jallal Toufiq, INCB President. 

Criminal gangs take advantage of the chance to reach large global audiences on social media channels by turning them into marketplaces and posting inappropriate, misleading and algorithm-targeted content that is widely accessible to children and adolescents, the board noted. 

The authors of the report observed a significant decline in opium poppy cultivation and heroin production in Afghanistan following the Taliban's ban on drugs. But, South Asia’s methamphetamine trafficking boom   is linked to its manufacture in Afghanistan with outlets in Europe and Oceania.

In Colombia and Peru, there has been a notable increase in illicit coca bush cultivation,  rising by 13 per cent and 18 per cent respectively in 2022.

Cocaine seizures also reached a record level in 2021 in West and Central Africa, a major transit region. 

And Pacific island States have transitioned from being solely transit sites along drug trafficking routes to becoming destination markets for synthetic drugs. 

In North America, the opioid crisis persists , with the number of deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone surpassing 70,000 in 2021. In Europe, several countries are pursuing a regulated market for cannabis for non-medical purposes, which, the INCB experts believe, may be inconsistent with drug control.

Real-world dangers online

Other trends linked to drug dealing today include the use of encryption methods in communications and transactions, anonymous browsing on the darknet and payments in hard-to trace cryptocurrencies , which increase challenges for prosecutors.

The INCB report also highlighted how criminals relocate their operations to regions with less stringent law enforcement or lighter sanctions, often choosing countries where extradition can be evaded. 

The latest data also emphasizes the heightened risk of deadly overdoses linked to the online availability of fentanyl – many times more potent than heroin – and other synthetic opioids.

Another area of concern is telemedicine and online pharmacies. While such services have the potential to enhance healthcare access and simplify the prescription and delivery of lifesaving medicines, illegal internet outlets that sell drugs without a prescription directly to consumers are a very real health risk. 

The global trade in illicit pharmaceuticals is estimated at $4.4 billion.

In many cases, it is impossible for consumers to know whether the drugs or medicines they are buying are counterfeit, banned or illegal. 

To combat the online threat, the report’s authors insist that internet platforms should be used to raise awareness about drug misuse and support public health campaigns, especially targeting young people.

Given the global nature of the challenge, countries should cooperate to identify and respond to new threats, said INCB, whose 13 members are elected by the UN’s Economic and Social Council ( ECOSOC ). 

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Report a crime

Report an emergency.

Call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger, or if the crime is in progress.

If you're deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or have a speech-impairment, a text phone is available on 18000.

If you've registered with emergencySMS – and you have no other option – you can send a text message to 999.

When to call 999

In an emergency, call 999 if:

• there's a risk of personal injury or loss of life
• a crime is happening now
• someone suspected of a crime is nearby

Report a non-emergency

Call 101 to contact the police if the crime is not an emergency.

If you're deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or have a speech-impairment, a text phone is available on 18001 101.

Examples of crimes that do not need an emergency response include:

• your car has been stolen
• your property has been damaged
• you suspect drug use or dealing
• you want to report a minor traffic collision
• you want to give the police information about crime in your area

Report a crime online

In a non-emergency, you can report the following crimes on the Police Scotland website:

• domestic abuse

You can also fill out the Crimestoppers online form if you want to report a crime anonymously.

Report a crime anonymously

Contact Crimestoppers to report a crime anonymously. They'll pass the information about the crime to the police.

Crimestoppers Telephone: 0800 555 111 Find out about call charges Online: fill in the Crimestoppers online form

You can report hate crime through a third party reporting centre – like a housing association or victim support office. Trained staff can help you submit a report to the police (if that's what you want), or they can do it on your behalf.

Report a crime at a police station

In a non-emergency, you can report a crime at a police station.

Find your local police station on the Police Scotland website.

The opening hours of police stations are liable to change. You can call 101 before visiting to make sure a member of staff will be there to help you.

If you're a visitor to Scotland, it might also be worth contacting your embassy or consulate website to see if they can give you help and advice.

Getting support after reporting a crime

If you give permission when you report a crime, your details may be passed on to Victim Support Scotland.

Victim Support Scotland gives free and confidential support to victims, witnesses and others affected by crime, including:

• emotional support
• practical help, like help filling in forms for insurance and compensation and assisting with home and personal security
• liaison with other organisations on behalf of victims and witnesses

Victim Support Scotland Telephone: 0800 160 1985 Find out about call charges Email: [email protected]

There are also people and organisations that can help you if you need specialist support for crimes like domestic abuse, stalking and rape and sexual assault.

Your rights as a victim or witness

As a victim or witness of crime, you're entitled to receive a certain level of information and support from the organisations you come in to contact with in the criminal justice system.

In particular, you're entitled to certain information about what's happening with your case, and you should be able to access appropriate support during and after the investigation and proceedings.

The Victims' Code for Scotland sets out your rights and who to contact for help and advice.

Compensation

You might be eligible to apply to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) .

This government fund:

• is available to blameless victims of violent crime who can't get compensation elsewhere
• can take a long time for a claim to be investigated and compensation paid
• isn't for emergencies

You'll also need to report the crime if you want to make an insurance claim.

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