INDIANAPOLIS – In January 2023, Indiana State Police Indianapolis District Lieutenant Josh Watson formed a specialized squad to focus on criminal interdiction.
The purpose of the squad was to work beyond the standard traffic stop, initiating and pursuing drug and gun investigations. Members of the team were selected based on their extensive experience in drug enforcement and training. Five Troopers, one K9, and a supervisor make up the criminal interdiction team in the Indianapolis District.Â
This squad remains flexible with their schedule, often fluctuating between nights and days, and is frequently utilized for special assignments within the district. Members of this squad have also been selected to join the Indiana Gun Crimes Task Force. Although the majority of their time is focused on the city of Indianapolis, they also work within all seven counties that make up the ISP Indianapolis District.Â
Lieutenant Josh Watson stated. “Typically, we find that crime is connected to other crime, and criminals are connected to other criminals. Low-level drug transactions can lead to larger drug operations and major dealers. This squad of troopers focuses on making those connections, working beyond a traffic stop and outright arrest of an individual. Our troopers work very closely with officers from other agencies, including incredible support from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.”Â
The statistics below offer an update on the efforts of this squad. Although the troopers in our district contribute immensely to the public safety of our community, the statistics below are for the six-person ISP Criminal Interdiction Team in the Indianapolis District.
January 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025:
- 230 Defendants
- 365 Felonies
- 148 Misdemeanors
- 75 Search WarrantsÂ
- Methamphetamine 93.4 pounds
- Ecstasy – 35,965 doses
- Cocaine – 15.3 pounds
- Synthetic Drugs – 15.3 pounds
- Heroin/Fentanyl – 13.3 pounds
- Guns Seized – 193
- Stolen Cars Recovered – 26
- Human Trafficking Victims Found – 4
Defendants’ category includes people who have not been charged with a crime, either because the investigation is ongoing or because other factors have delayed criminal charges.
It is important to note that the ISP Indianapolis District is comprised of 62 Troopers and nine supervisors assigned to road patrol. In 2024, our district responded to over 50,000 calls for service, including over 10,000 vehicle crashes. Troopers in this district also conducted over 90,000 traffic stops and arrested over 3,000 people.Â
