Drew Ortiz
Drew Ortiz, Detective 
Dallas Police Department (Retired)

Career Highlights
  • Conducted long-term undercover operations
  • Conducted multiple complex conspiracy investigations
  • Testified in State & Federal trials
  • Worked multiple cartel-related kidnappings, extortions, and homicides
  • UC cases involving Counterintelligence, Counterterrorism, Murder for Hire, Public Corruption, Domestic Terrorism & Money Laundering
  • First Dallas Police Officer to graduate FBI two week Undercover School
  • DOJ FBI 2016 Top 10 Investigation Transnational Organized Crime Western Hemisphere Recipient
  • 2020 OCDEFT National Award
  • 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 OCDEFT Top 5 Recipient
  • 2019 & 2020 Attorney General Award for Excellence
  • 2019 & 2020 Attorney General National & FBI Director’s Award Nominee
Drew Ortiz served 25 years with the Dallas Police Department and recently retired in November 2022. He spent 20 of those years working undercover with the Dallas Police Narcotics Division. For the last 11 years, he was assigned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a Task Force Officer where he successfully infiltrated Mexican drug cartels in an undercover capacity across the United States.  

Prior to joining the FBI Task Force, Drew worked on a street-level narcotic enforcement team targeting low-level narcotic traffickers in the worst areas of the city. He made hundreds of undercover buys which led to the execution of dozens of search warrants and the seizure of large quantities of narcotics, firearms, and U.S. Currency.

Drew was the first Dallas Police officer to attend and pass the rigorous two-week FBI undercover school where he was pushed to physical limits while under extreme stress in a simulated environment. Following graduation, Drew was asked to return to the FBI’s undercover school, but this time as an instructor who could draw from his skill and proficiency in the drug world. During his time with the FBI Task Force, Drew worked a deep undercover assignment that lasted nearly five years and involved the infiltration of several Mexican drug cartels including, Jalisco Nueva Generacion, (CJNG), Nueva Familia, Los Zetas, and the Gulfo Cartel. His work led to the indictment of over 100 Mexican cartel and prison gang members, with several receiving life prison sentences.

Utilizing the individuals, he “befriended” during the undercover case. the access afforded him through these new relationships, Drew was able to successfully transport illegal drugs across the country on commercial airlines while avoiding detection by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Even more astounding, Drew was able to convince these individuals to allow his associates and him to transport explosive material, (C4) on these airlines, thereby creating a domestic terrorism and national security event. Consequently, these individuals were indicted and are currently serving extensive prison sentences.

Drew is the recipient of over 100 commendations from the Dallas Police Department, to include multiple meritorious conduct awards, which is the second highest award given to an officer.

Drew currently resides in Dallas, TX with his family and teaches for Professional Law Enforcement Training, where he travels the U.S. educating local, state, and federal agencies.
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