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1. What are some indicators that a house/apartment in our neighbor might be involved in selling

Indicators of a drug house would be high levels of pedestrian and/or vehicle traffic at all hours of the day and night, exchanges between people that appear to be drugs and/or money, and people appearing to be lookouts around homes or buildings.

These indicators alone may not mean that drug dealing is occurring. However, some of them happening together may indicate a problem.

Customers of drug houses often generate money through criminal activity other than drug dealing, such as burglary, theft, robbery, identity theft, and prostitution. Often times the customers will commit these crimes to generate money to pay for their drug habit. This can also have a negative impact on the neighborhood.

2. What can I do if I suspect a home / apartment to be a drug house?

• Call 9-1-1 to report suspected drug dealing activity at the exact address where it is
  occurring.
• Call or write to landlords regarding problems about their property and possibly setup a
  meeting with them. To obtain property owner information, call the Intergovernmental Center at (507) 387-8600.
• Talk to your neighbors to learn their concerns, get their suggestions for strategies and
  solutions, and ask if they are willing to help.
• Call 9-1-1 regarding disturbances at the property or when drug deals take place outside the residence.
• A police officer or narcotics agent may request additional information, such as license plates of vehicles associated with these people, suspect descriptions, and behaviors that you observe.

3. How do the police shut down a drug house in Mankato?

• Through citizen complaints – Information from neighbors may lead to a narcotics investigation being opened and a subsequent search warrant. This complaint can originate through 911, even if it is not an emergency.
• Making a buy – Once the DTF is made aware of a problem address, they will attempt to make a buy at the address. Making a buy can be the most difficult step in the process. Despite repeated attempts, having an informant or undercover officer make a buy may take quite a while or may not be possible at all. If a successful buy is completed, the
  drug is then taken to a lab and analyzed to determine if it is a controlled substance.
• Getting a search warrant – After a buy is completed and the suspected controlled substance is proven to actually be a controlled substance, police will obtain a search warrant. The search warrant is signed by a judge. Once the DTF observes that the address is actively dealing, they will attempt to execute the warrant. Keep in mind that most information regarding narcotics arrests and search warrants is confidential and not shared with the media or the public.