Can police pose as drug dealers and sell to the public?

Question

My friend recently bought marijuana off a man she didn't know and after buying she started getting worried he was a police officer. So can police sell drugs to the public without arresting them afterwards?

Answer 1

its calle da sting operationn

Answer 2

Yes, law enforcement can pose as dealers, suppliers, or buyers. When posing as dealers the individual buyers are usually arrested shortly after, but under some rare circumstances there may be a delay in making the arrest.

Also contrary to what David H commented the undercover officer CAN offer you drugs directly. Many people mistakenly believe that it's Entrapment if the officer offers the contraband, it's not. The legal definition of Entrapment is when "law enforcement induces a person to commit a crime that they WOULDN'T ORDINARILY COMMIT". IF an undercover officer asks someone "Hey, you want so weed?", in the eyes of the law that person can always just say "No." & walk away. The UC could even ask "Are you sure?". To rise to the level of Entrapment the officer would have to basically coerce the person into buying the contraband even after they said "No!" by stopping them from walking away, threatening violence, etc. If all it takes to get a person to buy contraband is someone simply asking them once, then the courts consider that a "crime they WOULD ordinarily commit".

- David

Answer 3

It's called 'reverse sting'.....

It happens everyday in most cities.

If you're not a doper, you don't need to be concerned.

If you are, you'll get popped.

Answer 4

A reverse drug sting goes down much like a bust for solicitation of prostitution. The undercover can't offer the drug to the buyer, but he can walk up to the car and say "what you want?". The buyer names a drug and it is all downhill from there.

I doubt the man she bought pot from was a cop. The bust would have occurred immediately. No legitimate police operation would let the mark walk away with illegal drugs.  

Answer 5

Sure! How do you think the drugs are getting into the country? The government! It's no secret that there are cops who hustle a little on the side, amongst other things.

Answer 6

yes they can! tell you friend for me to STOP buying drugs cuz they will take you down!

Answer 7

Yes.  Sales represent a chain of criminal association and leverage

if police desire additional cooperation other than the listed charge(s).

Plea bargains are often the sum result.  Your friend might soon feel pressured to 'give-up' others that can be found guilty of crime.  

Answer 8

Yes. They could be building a bigger case

Answer 9

IF YOUR LIVING IN A KNOWN DRUG DEALING AREA ''YES'' THEY CAN AND U WILL BE ARRESTED SOONER OR LATER ITS NOT U THEY WANT ITS THE SUPPLIERS AND THEY WILL ''GO THRU YOUR FRIEND'' TO NAME THEM. IF THEY DONT GET WHAT THEY WANT YOUR FRIEND TAKES THE RAP

Answer 10

if they're doing a drug sting then yes. if it was an officer your friend would have been arrested or confronted by now to either give information on other drug dealers. but mostly when officers do these drug stings they want the big guy not the little guys i.e. your friend just buying a personally stash. they may get your friend as a informant or as bait to get the people they want arrested.  

Answer 11

No, that's called entrapment, but I know they can set up drug buys....If he was a cop, he would have arrested her then. If she is so paranoid, maybe she should find a new hobby.

Answer 12

Yep. Happens all of the time. If she hasn't been arrested by now.........she is in the clear.