Rural Narcotics, Entrapment, and the Future of Online Investigations

Guest: Cameron Pavlicek, Narcotics Investigator

Episode Summary:
What does it take to run effective narcotics investigations in the vast, resource-limited terrain of rural America? In this episode, Cameron Pavlicek — a narcotics investigator from Montana — breaks down how rural officers are adapting investigative techniques, training smarter, and navigating complex legal challenges like entrapment and digital privacy. From social media-based undercover work to agency policy gaps and courtroom articulation, this conversation is packed with real-world insights for cops working interdiction, drug enforcement, or online cases.

Guest Bio:
Cameron Pavlicek is a narcotics investigator with over nine years of experience in rural Montana. Known for his creative approach to investigations and training, he’s helping reshape how officers think about case law, online operations, and practical narcotics interdiction.

🔗 Courses mentioned in the episode: YellowstoneNarcotics.com
🔗 Connect with Cam on LinkedIn: Cameron Pavlicek

Key Takeaways:

• Investigating narcotics in rural areas often requires doing more with less

• Social media is a key investigative tool, especially in undercover work

• Entrapment is a major legal pitfall—understanding predisposition is essential

• Cash App is frequently used by suspects for narcotics transactions

• Officers must articulate their cases clearly to withstand legal scrutiny

• Many agencies still lack policy support for modern interdiction techniques

• Creating case law isn’t always negative—it can clarify legal gray areas

• Training (especially online) is critical for rural departments with fewer resources

• Patrol officers can—and should—be trained in narcotics interdiction techniques

• Economic shifts (e.g. oil/gas booms) directly impact crime trends in rural zones

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