Undercover Cops/Detectives at Music Festivals

Found this on r/drugs, here's original link: https://www.reddit.com/r/Drugs/comments/6gsxp2/undercover_copsdetectives_at_music_festivals/

I thought this might be useful for those of you who visit festivals but dont read those sub.

Original text:

Recently attended Spring Awakening Friday/Sunday,( had an unreal time btw, see Martin Garrix if you can, show gets better every time). My uncle is high up in law enforcement, specifically in the undercover/detective field of it, so just from speaking to him and seeing him in person/being around him a fair amount I have picked up on his mannerisms and the way he speaks and acts.

So, at the festival, me and my friends were all having a good time, but none of them seemed to notice the two/three(possibly) cops around us. For me, it was just so obvious because detectives have these similar mannerisms/features about them that I want to share and have some other peoples opinions weighed in on/ if you've experienced something similar.

THINGS I NOTICED FIRST AND FOREMOST

1) Undercovers (At least at this festival) had black shoes, some weird brand.. and low, prestine tight looking low cut black socks. Obviously this isn't the standard, but the two I suspected were cops, one being a cop I know for a fact because of point 3(trying to acquire drugs from me directly then asking if I had a source), wore the same shoes/sock combination. The other 2 had the same attire on and similar mannerisms.

2) They also seem to most the time wear sunglasses and some sort of accessory that typical festival goers wear (bandanas, candy, etc.), hiding their face somewhat, sunglasses seemed standard as to cover their eyes and where they were looking, which would make sense as an undercover.

3) This is where I knew he was an undercover. The way detectives are taught to speak stands out the most. It is an objective, sharp way of speaking. There is almost no emotion in their tone, and they speak steadily. It's very "official". The undercover tapped me on the arm, and whispered in, what seemed to me, the exact way my uncle spoke which was eerily similar, "U have any molly?", I proceeded to say "no sir", he then asked, "Do u know anyone selling molly?" also proceeded to say "no sir", and got my friends the fuck out of there a few seconds later. It seemed as if I was having a conversation with my uncle almost, they talked exactly the same.

4) Just their "vibes" and facial expressions, way they dance and react to the music. After attending concerts for a fair amount like I have (6+ years), the authenticity of people dancing and enjoying the music has become a lot more noticeable to me, not just pertaining to the police, but with people in general like: people away from friends, got skimped on drugs, too fucked up, etc.)

EDIT: also, I ABSOLUTELY HATE this shit. I was talking to my girlfriend about creeps at concerts for girls, as I saw some dude like 27-28 dancing with his shirt off hitting on these girls that were probably not even 18 yet, it's astounding some of the shit I hear from people walking in that are like 10- even 20 years older looking to take advantage of younger girls that are too fucked up, not saying meeting new people and dancing with random girls is a frowned upon thing, who doesn't like that stuff now and then and there's nothing wrong with meeting new people.. but this guy was in front of us was like forcing himself on them and just being overall a creep, clearly not there for the music and just trying to hit on young girls.

All in all, I was happy with the fact that there were police around me for my safety with all this crazy terrorist crap going on, you can never be too safe, but obviously was not comfortable being around them given my "circumstances".

Hope this post weighs into you about undercovers a little bit, and if you have any undercover stories or tips on spotting them yourself I would love to hear them.


Comments


[35 Points] None:

if they arent holding a beer. probably a cop. if they are by themselves people watchin during a set. probably a cop.

All that being said everyone does their shows differently


[27 Points] bobbiggs69:

FYI, ex marines also sound very much like cops. They carry themselves the same way and have a lot of the same mannerisms. I saw an ex marine doing blow off the bathroom sink at a whorehouse in Lima Peru and when he asked if I wanted a rail, he sounded just like a cop.


[20 Points] Essexal:

The people in the crowd watching the crowd, and not the people in the crowd off their tits with meltface - Feds 12 times out of 10.


[19 Points] None:

[deleted]


[14 Points] None:

they work in packs one will aproach and try to get a sale, and another will come along a little while later and use some info gleaned on the 1st pass to open you up. reminds me of car sales in a way.

they will send in the baby face cops that try to act a little too hip and try to use lingo but maybe a little incorrectly "hi i am looking for THOSE mollies" " have you seen THE mollies?"

clothes once again wont match the person. trying to be a little too hip with their sunday school shirt untucked and whatnot..you are right on with socks and shoes comment

most of all they are gonna be pushy like an over eager dude trying to get laid. instead of trying to befriend you 1st they jump right into trying for the easy bust

if you wanna watcth an undercover squirm be like hey dude you are cool!! give me your facebook!


[13 Points] None:

[deleted]


[12 Points] PHattygrilledcheese:

My buddy got busted selling molly to 2 smokin lookin hippy chicks on the boardwalk in AC then got sawt teamed by vice. Also there are UCs and FBI agents on phish and dead lot with dreads tye die and all that shit you never know who is a cop and whose not. If anyone aproaches you to buy anything make them smoke a bowl with you before even talking business walk them around or into the woods ask them to lift their shirt up etc really run them through the gauntlet its better to lose a customer then to lose your freedom


[14 Points] Lat3ris:

Don't these pigs have "real" drug dealers to be harassing? (Heroin, fent,etc.)

...oh I forgot, it's not about the drugs per se, it's about financially capitalizing on court costs, fines, etc. whilst having a jury trial b/c some one was suspected of selling a gram of molly.

The "war on drugs" is big business


[6 Points] Throawonka:

I admit to not reading Op post or.comments. So I do apologize if this has been said. But look for freesh as fuck Nike/new balance / any clean ready to run like a Nigerian king pair of kicks.

And bonus if he's wearing a Lucy molly mary t shirts ....


[6 Points] Throawonka:

Festi pro tip: always boof your drugs inside your tent.Never near a porty potty .... this shud be 101 though


[6 Points] NextMoveBestMove:

Fuck selling at festivals


[6 Points] None:

Also you are completely right. They will almost always still have their state trooper boots on. That's who's doing it most of the time. It's pretty darn easy to spot. Here's the main rule tho. Never sell to anyone who comes up you and asks for drugs.


[6 Points] None:

I always thought it might be fun to go to a festival. But I am 50, clean cut, former military. I'm not a cop, but I am sure that no matter what I wear people would think I was one. So I'm afraid to go because everyone will avoid me. :-(


[5 Points] MrsQuess:

Dead show at Deer Creek in Indiana in 94 or 95... All the Undercovers had in the same exact mass manufactured tie dye t-shirt. Easy to pick out and still super funny to me.


[6 Points] throwawaydrugchild:

but anyone who comes up asking for drugs though is kinda a loser. If you go out with your own drugs and they are good people wont try to serve you I have found


[4 Points] serenity_n0w:

Always look at their shoes...often times a dead giveaway


[3 Points] Xanaxandsuicide:

you went to the worst music festival in the world


[3 Points] None:

There have been a undercovers at festivals since forever. I saw kids get popped by dreddy with dead tats . Dready feddy. It's nuts. Festivals are great to make money but if you do it a lot you will Get in trouble .


[3 Points] Dnmbuttshit:

Would an undercover flash you his penis if you said "it would sure be a crime if you flashed me your penis"? I always figured a sexual assault cleared someone from being an undercover.


[2 Points] Multer:

Interesting read, thanks OP.


[2 Points] LoveMyMailman:

I remember the DEA used to go "on tour" with the Greaful Dead, they would even ride around on horses in pairs. There were also the local cops to contend with, some of them plain clothes and or undercover. I remember one cop telling me looking for people to arrest at a Dead show was like shooting fish in a barrel.


[2 Points] sunchip14:

So you have no idea if they were really cops...awesome advice dude..Wait till your 30 and single, bitchs be looking like their in their 20s and then after talking to them you find out their 18, gets harder to tell the older you get and a lot bitchs like older dudes so dont be jealous they prefer that experienced dick instead of some 16 or 18 kid who cums as soons as he puts it in. All joke aside its a festival so of course theres gonna be a lot creeps there when you got a shit load of hot half naked girls that are 16-24


[1 Points] None:

[deleted]


[1 Points] whitekidspaz:

Shoes, mannerisms, the shirt that try's to fit in, hot girls who won't take no for an answer, don't approach people in the parking lot wait till your at main stage, camp site is cool you just have to be careful with spotters watching people go from campsite to campsite usually people sell pins or t shirts or posters to cover why they walk in between camp to camp.

I've been spotted walking back to camp to many times but my last time was to actually sleep I was done for the night I got followed by the one undercover security and 3 cops they waited around my tent till they realized I was smoking bowls and chilling in my tent for the night. I got up to use the restroom and was followed by 2 people. They also keep track of people leaving the fest to camping and re entering I've seen them use sketch pads to take down features and they start to tally how many times you leave in a certain time frame.

If it's an undercover he won't take no for an answer he will ask if your fucked up and having a good time just like him, then he will ask if you know anyone selling, that's why I tell ransoms I sell to not to bring people back to me. Unless it's your friend for your group otherwise don't help anyone out cause they could be bringing an undercover back to you, use girls to deal with your pills never hold drugs and money. Don't let the girls know your name


[1 Points] DooshNozzzle:

Kinda long but worth the read as it contains two really good ways to really help you accurately spot under covers.

I have a tip to help you spot under covers, first let me tell you my short story when I spotted one and then you'll see how I found out he was under cover.

I was loitering around by the drinking fountain/porta potty area waiting for my girl to finish her business in the toilet.

A guy came up to me asking if I had any molly for sale (I did actually have some molly with me, for me and my friends and just a little extra in case we can into a friend who forgot to bring some)

I asked him how much he needed, he said "about 20 worth". So I replied by saying that "sorry man I don't even know you, its not worth the risk to make a measly 20 bucks"

Instead of giving up he said "okay then how much would make it worth it? 50? 100? 500?"

So then I'm thinking to myself okay, who the fuck only needs a couple points of molly but is willing to buy a half an ounce from a stranger on the spot?

So by now I'm pretty sure he's an under cover and I tell him "hey man where's your group of friends at?" (it's a big festival)

And he tells me "oh I'm just here by myself"

So now, completely positive he's a cop, I was like "man you smell like fuckin bacon fuck off"

When my girlfriend got back from the toilet we walked back to the stage and I kept noticing him following me for several more hours..

was a close call, and super creepy.

TL;DR hopefully these two approaches can help someone. tell them that such a small bag isn't worth your time and see if they're willing to buy WAY more. Or tell them that you will have to charge them a RIDICULOUSLY high price that no sane person would pay unless they were just a cop trying to bust you. and also ask them where their friends are. If they can't summon a friend or two, and even if they can summon a friend or two but all of the people they summon look exactly like they do (like cops) they're under cover. Under covers might also have clothes that LOOK ratty and old/torn and could be stained, but the clothes will actually be very physically clean upon inspection (not have any actual dirt on them)

good luck and stay safe. I'm eager to see if anyone reads this and has comments or suggestions or questions.


[1 Points] None:

Don't go see Martin Garrix and you won't have this issue... sigh