This course will explore the recent rise of plugs within our communities, their motivations for trafficking firearms and drugs, and the influence of mainstream media and hip hop / rap on the plug culture. Students will leave this course with training and experience on the methods and techniques that plugs are exploiting to traffic contraband through social media, encrypted communication applications such as Telegram, VOIP applications, and laundering money through P2P payment applications such as CashApp. The course will prepare students for these investigations by immersing them into the way “plugs” talk and communicate with customers through jargon and emojis, verification methods commonly used by plugs to vet their customers, and more.

Students will learn creative investigative techniques law enforcement can use to investigate the plug. This includes the use of undercover social media accounts, undercover buys from social media and encrypted communication applications, search warrants and pen registers to social media platforms, connected investigations, “piggyback” search warrants, and the value of confidential informants who are involved in this culture. The course will include several case studies to prepare students to take on these investigations after the conference.