Elmira Police Department: A New York State and Nationally Accredited Law Enforcement Agency


Drug Enforcement Unit

Meth Labs are popping up everywhere.  The DEU is dedicated to stopping them. The Chemung County Drug Enforcement Unit is a specialized unit dedicated to fighting the war on drugs in Chemung County. The DEU is composed of officers and investigators from the Elmira Police Department that work very closely with officers and investigators from the local law enforcement agencies, New York State Police, Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This collaboration of Law Enforcement professionals are dedicated to combating drug distribution and use throughout Chemung County.

Donate A Drug Dealer
If you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood, report it immediately. You can call 271-HALT (271-4258). The DEU uses this information to build a case against the criminal elements that are creeping into Elmira neighborhoods.
Report suspected drug activity: Call (607) 737-5603
>You can also contact the DEU by email

All information that is provided will receive follow-up, however, due to the nature of these investigations, results may not be immediately disclosed. Any and all information provided by citizens is extremely valuable and assists the Drug Enforcement Unit with building a strong case against drug dealers, resulting in an arrest and prosecution.

Drug Problem in Chemung County
Most of the drugs in Chemung County come from larger surrounding such as Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, and New York City. Many of our dealers also come from these cities to sell in Elmira because there is less competition and a higher profit. Drug trends that appear in the larger cities such as Rochester usually appear in Chemung County within six months to a year.

Cocaine/Crack Cocaine: Cocaine and Crack Cocaine arSniffing cokee the dominant drugs in the area. Many of the crimes in Elmira can be directly or indirectly tied into the use or sale of Cocaine and Crack Cocaine. Cocaine and Crack Cocaine is the drug of choice by street level dealers due to the increasing demand throughout the Twin Tier region.

Cooking meth in a clandestine meth labMethamphetamines/Meth Labs: The methamphetamine problem in the region seems to have leveled off temporarily due to increased pressure applied by law enforcement agencies and region task forces. Methamphetamine will most likely be the drug problem of the future unless law enforcement is given the tools needed to stop its growth.

Marijuana: Marijuana is widely used in the area aRolling a joint of marijuanand remains consistent. Marijuana use and sale is seen as a less serious crime, but it still continues to be a lucrative business that law enforcement takes very seriously. Everyday use of marijuana also serves as a gateway drug to individuals who contribute to the demand of other more serious drugs.

Others Drugs: Designer drugs such as Ecstasy (MDMA) and LSD seem to rise and fall and are directly affected by the local supply and demand . Heroin is also present in our community but the demand for this drug is not as prevalent as others.

Signs of Drug Use and Abuse

Could one of your loved ones be using and abusing illegal drugs?

Could the ammonia smell coming from next door be a meth lab?

Are your tenants manufacturing illegal drugs in your apartment?

These Fast Fact brochures are provided to you by the Elmira Police Department and the National Drug Intelligence Center to help you identify the signs of drug use and abuse:
>Fast Facts: Crack Cocaine
>Fast Facts: Drug Abuse and Mental Illness
>Fast Facts: Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault
>Fast Facts: Drug Paraphernalia
>Fast Facts: Heroin
>Fast Facts: Inhalants
>Fast Facts: Marijuana
>Fast Facts: Meth Labs- Identification and Hazards
>Fast Facts: Methamphetamines
>Fast Facts: Powdered Cocaine
>Fast Facts: Ritalin
>Fast Facts: Rohypnol (Date Rape Drug)

If you suspect use or abuse in your neighborhood- Report it!
Report suspected drug activity: Call (607) 737-5603
If you suspect one of your loved ones is fighting an addiction- get help right away before he or she is sitting in jail or worse yet- in a coffin.

For drug counseling and rehabilitation assistance, contact the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Chemung County (ADACCC) to get information about treatment, counseling, and other services available in Chemung County. Free screenings are available for anyone who is looking for help and family members are encouraged to call. To contact the ADACCC, call (607) 734-1567. Staff members are available to provide assistance over the phone. You can also walk into their offices located on the corner of Market and Lake Street in Downtown Elmira.  The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm.
>visit the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council website for more information

Increasing violence is a direct result of an increase in drug use.
As long as there are users of drugs, there will be manufacturers and distributors of drugs infiltrating your neighborhoods and affecting your quality of life and personal safety. In areas with the manufacture, distribution, and use of illegal drugs, there is ALWAYS an increase in violent crime including homicides, assaults, robberies, larcenies, and burglaries.

The only way to make neighborhoods safe is to remove drugs- PERMANENTLY.