Social Media Investigations
Tue, Feb 17
|DEA Tampa
Learn how criminal organizations exploit social media, encrypted apps, and the darknet—and how to investigate and disrupt these online drug networks.
Time & Location
Feb 17, 2026, 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM EST
DEA Tampa, 5570 W Idlewild Ave, Tampa, FL 33634, USA
About the event
On February 17, 2026, Central Florida HIDTA will host Social Media Investigations, an intensive 8-hour training that equips law enforcement with the skills to identify and disrupt online drug trafficking activity. This tuition-free MCTFT course introduces how criminal organizations use social media platforms, encrypted apps, and darknet markets to distribute narcotics, sell counterfeit pharmaceuticals, and evade detection. Participants will learn to recognize coded language, emojis, hashtags, and online behaviors linked to drug activity, as well as the role of cryptocurrency in anonymous transactions. Through real-world case examples, investigative strategies, and legal considerations, the course provides officers, analysts, and investigators with practical tools to stay ahead of digital drug trends and effectively dismantle online trafficking networks. Click here for the event flyer.