The overview
Known as the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program, the grant is designed to assist law enforcement agencies combat drug trafficking in areas deemed to be critical drug-trafficking regions in the United States.
According to city documents, the program is available to 33 HIDTAS and HIDTA-designated counties across the country. Administered by the Office of National Drug Control Police, the HIDTA program seeks to reduce the profitability of drug trafficking in San Antonio through innovative narcotic enforcement investigations and the seizure of illegally obtained assets.
The SAPD HIDTA Initiative consists of eight initiatives:
- San Antonio Police Department HIDTA Task Force
- Drug Enforcement Agency HIDTA Task Force
- Homeland Security Investigations HIDTA Task Force
- HIDTA Financial Crimes Initiative
- South Texas HIDTA Intelligence Center
- HIDTA Information Technology Initiative
- Directors Administrative Support Element
- HIDTA Support Services Initiative
The SAPD HIDTA Task Force, DEA HIDTA Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations HIDTA Task Force will perform drug interdiction operations designed to enhance the Police Department's narcotics enforcement efforts. The program also allows the unit to use task force concepts providing the capability to cross jurisdictional boundaries by employing officers from local, state and federal levels, according to city documents.
The HIDTA Financial Crimes Initiative is a cooperative partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies encompassing Bexar and Travis counties in south and central Texas. The South Texas HIDTA Intelligence Center and the HIDTA Information Technology Initiative will respond to inquiries from San Antonio and surrounding counties’ criminal justice agencies. The center will also help resolve conflicts between different agencies during investigations.
The Directors Administrative Support Element will oversee the administration and operation of the South Texas HIDTA program, while the HIDTA Support Services Initiative will assist in managing building space and training facilities.
By the numbers
If the SAPD grant is approved, the department will receive up to $2.174 million from the Office of National Drug Control Policy to be used from Jan. 1, 2025-Dec. 31, 2026.
Fiscal Year 2025–26 will be the 32nd year the city has been awarded the grant.
