MIAMI (CBSMiami/CNN) – After a six-month undercover investigation, authorities in Florida have charged 68 people in connection with the sale of illegal narcotics on the mobile dating apps Grindr, Scruff, and Taimi.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) said 60 people have been arrested, and law enforcement has obtained arrest warrants for eight others, according to a news release.
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The probe, known as “Swipe Left for Meth,” began in July 2021 following a tip to Heartland Crime Stoppers, the release said.
At a news conference Thursday, Sheriff Grady Judd said the dealers would use ice cream cones and birthday cake emojis to signal they were selling drugs as well as code words like “party” and “Tina,” which he said stood for methamphetamine.
“It was a shock to us that they were openly advertising,” Judd said.
“Can you believe that? They were openly advertising that they were selling dope on a dating app.”
Undercover narcotics detectives set up profiles on the apps and struck up conversations with people selling methamphetamine, Fentanyl, LSD, Ecstasy, marijuana, and cocaine, the release said.
“It was clear during the conversations and ensuing undercover drug buys that the suspects’ primary purposes for being on the dating app were to sell drugs — not to find a date,” the release said.
“The sale of drugs or any illegal activity on Grindr is strictly prohibited as a…
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/CNN) – After a six-month undercover investigation, authorities in Florida have charged 68 people in connection with the sale of illegal narcotics on the mobile dating apps Grindr, Scruff, and Taimi.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) said 60 people have been arrested, and law enforcement has obtained arrest warrants for eight others, according to a news release.
READ MORE: ESPN: Winner Of 7 Super Bowls, Bucs’ Tom Brady Retiring From Football
The probe, known as “Swipe Left for Meth,” began in July 2021 following a tip to Heartland Crime Stoppers, the release said.
At a news conference Thursday, Sheriff Grady Judd said the dealers would use ice cream cones and birthday cake emojis to signal they were selling drugs as well as code words like “party” and “Tina,” which he said stood for methamphetamine.
“It was a shock to us that they were openly advertising,” Judd said.
“Can you believe that? They were openly advertising that they were selling dope on a dating app.”
Undercover narcotics detectives set up profiles on the apps and struck up conversations with people selling methamphetamine, Fentanyl, LSD, Ecstasy, marijuana, and cocaine, the release said.
“It was clear during the conversations and ensuing undercover drug buys that the suspects’ primary purposes for being on the dating app were to sell drugs — not to find a date,” the release said.
“The sale of drugs or any illegal activity on Grindr is strictly prohibited as a…
