Which investigative method involves law enforcement acting as the dealers?

The investigative method that involves law enforcement acting as the dealers is best described by the concept of reversal operations. In this type of operation, law enforcement agencies take on the role of a participant in the criminal activity, mimicking the behavior of drug dealers or traffickers to gather evidence, identify co-conspirators, and build a case against the actual offenders. This method allows for direct engagement in the illicit transaction while collecting valuable information on the criminal network.

Controlled deliveries, on the other hand, typically involve the monitoring of illegal shipments to apprehend suspects at the point of delivery. Surveillance is a broader technique focused on watching and tracking suspects without direct involvement in the criminal act. Trash runs involve searching refuse for evidence discarded by suspects. Each of these methods serves a different purpose in an investigation, but reversal operations specifically highlight the proactive role of law enforcement as a participant in the illegal activity.