Special Narcotics Prosecutor's Office Information

An independent prosecutors’ office with citywide jurisdiction, the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor (SNP) is responsible for felony narcotics investigations and prosecutions in the five boroughs of New York City. Founded in 1971, it is the only agency of its kind in the United States. Created in response to a burgeoning heroin epidemic and a related spike in violent crime, SNP was granted broad authority under New York State Judiciary Laws to root out sophisticated narcotics trafficking organizations and track offenders across traditional jurisdictional boundaries. Since its inception, SNP has worked closely with local, state and federal law enforcement partners to improve the lives of New Yorkers by making neighborhoods safer. The office’s far-reaching cases target major trafficking networks that distribute narcotics in the city, across the United States and around the world. Renowned for its expertise in wiretap investigations, SNP uses cutting-edge electronic technology to identify and pursue members of criminal enterprises from street-level dealers to top suppliers. Recognizing the link between drugs and violence, the office also investigates gang-related activity. Cases are brought to SNP by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force; the U.S. Postal Service; the New York City Police Department; the New York State Police; Port Authority Police; and SNP's Investigators Unit.