Balaclava-clad SWAT team mocked online over video warning to 'poison pushers'
Florida sheriff tells drug dealers 'We are coming for you—run'
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
A police force in Florida has been mocked for resembling "an Isis propaganda video" after balaclava-clad officers handed down a stern warning to drug dealers.
In a video posted to Facebook, officers from Lake County Sheriff's Office flanked sheriff Peyton C Grinnell as he told "the dealers that are pushing this poison" that he and his officers were "coming for you".
"Enjoy trying to sleep tonight wondering if tonight's the night our SWAT team blows your front door off the hinges," he added over ominous background music.
He said: "To the dealers, I say, 'Enjoy looking over your shoulder, constantly wondering if today's the day we come for you.
"If our agents can show the nexus between you the pusher of poison and the person that overdoses and dies, we will charge you with murder. We are coming for you. Run."
The video met with a mixed response.
One commenter asked: "Since when did Isis join the sheriffs?" Another said: "Those 'sheriff deputies' look more like special forces teams than local police".
But some viewers wrote in support of the strong message. One said: "BRAVO !!! I WISH WE HAD MORE SHERIFF DEPARTMENTS LIKE YOU !! GOD BLESS YOU ALL !!"
A further contribution added: "Flood them with tips. Turn in every Doctor that prescribes the pills that cause the problem. They want to solve the problem, that's where to start."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments