Police drug raids? Informants?

Question

ok. So I know police need warrants to search a home for drugs and that the warrants come from probable cause. but my question is what do the police EXACTLY need in order to have that probable cause to get the warrant.

for example. in my town, people have been getting busted for selling dope. ok, so what do the police need? Do they need to have proof first that someone has drugs? Do they have to have an informant first do a buy? Do they just need some kind of idea someone's doing something?

Like I have heard that police can't do a raid until an informant buys. Like I had a buddy that got busted for growing pot and he said that the police NEEDED someone to take photos of the grow first BEFORE they got the warrant. Is that true? my friend was dumb enough to let someone take pictures. thats his prob though.

Can police just use an infrared camera to look at the heat in your house to come busting down the door or do they need more evidence?

NO NO NO. I most certainly do not want to change jobs. lol.

no thank you.

just very curious about how things work. seems more and more our rights are being taken away.

just want to protect myself.

Answer 1

This is how it is done: An informant is registered and given a number and or a code name. The informant is photographed and all his personal information recorded and then sealed in the files of the agency. documents are maintained of all his performance by one Agent or informant handler. If this informant is used for purchasing narcotics there are a set of procedures. First the informant is searched completely - The informant is given a specific amount of money and those serial numbers are recorded and the money photo copied. The informant is taken to a specific location and is watched throughout the transaction if possible. The informant returns from the location and the narcotics seized. The informant is again properly searched to ensure that the informant has not attempted to keep some for himself. After a specific number of times at a location where narcotics are purchased by the informant - a search warrant is obtained for that specific location. The informant's name is never listed in the warrant affidavit. The house is searched and folks get arrested. With the help of the informant your phone can be tapped and your house watched photographed and filmed to see the activity at the residence. Over time they may collect so much information that the informant is taken out of the picture when the actual warrants are drafted. Also all of the information is placed in the informant file so as to show credibility of the informant and some are even paid.

Answer 2

Ok, first off police dont necessarily need a warrant to conduct a search for drugs (thats a subject unto itself). But when obtaining a warrant it MUST be based of probably cause. Probable cause is just that..... evidence is probably where they want to search to put it simply and in laymens terms. What the warrant has to show is exactly where they want to search, everything from address down to if they want to look in the car and outbuildings, and exactly what they want to search for ie paraphernalia, letters, drugs, etc etc. Then they have to show why they think that there is evidence there. It cant just be based off what an informant says. It has to be independantly corroborated or they have to show additional info. IE the house has been known to sell drugs before, alot of traffic into and out of house, cars and people stopped after exiting the house were found with drugs, things like that. Different states and different departments set down policy as to what probably cause may be in drug arrests. Thats where it would come in that 2 or 3 buys have been made from the house. If its not talking about drugs and something such as murder (as if you are in a murder victims home, you generally need a search warrant to conduct an extensive search of the home). Warrants are based off what was seen (foot traffic leaving area) or heard (what an informant (s) have told them)or found (people leaving area found with drugs). Its very hard to actually explain probably cause other than any normal man would more than likely figure that evidence would be present. Hope it helps!
As far as your buddy, the police didnt need photos (although Im sure the pictures helped) they just needed to have some evidence to point to the fact that your mate was growing dope. As for infra redding your house, yes they can do that but if that is all the evidence they have, they cant bust down your door. But, if they have other evidence to corroborate it then you may want to be careful

Answer 3

The answer above me couldn't be more wrong. The police only need probable cause which could come from an informant, a trash pick, a buy or anything else that would lead a reasonable person to believe there are drugs in the house. They don't have to have an undercover officer buy in order to get a warant.

Answer 4

A little bit of all. In my state, the police need at (at least) three good buys from a location to get a warrant, However, they will usually get 5 or more just to be certain. As far as informants go, they;re not usually used except for much except for information, the dealings are with undercover officers.

Answer 5

the police and task force can get probable cause just by somone saying you have drugs or cook drugs. they then find out who you are and if you have a record you are going to get busted just because. better hope you are not on parole because that is another charge.

good luck in your search

Answer 6

In Michigan they have to have someone sell it to an undercover officer if there in the house.Or if they are selling on the street then all they have to have is probable cause....Do u plan on changeing jobs.hahaha

Answer 7

paraphelia , maybe stuff found in their garbage would be enough for probable cause, even ziplock bags would do.