Florida Sheriff Runs a Free Ice Cream Truck with Seized Drug Money [WATCH]

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida has launched a new community outreach initiative that combines drug enforcement efforts with engagement activities for local families by operating a free ice cream truck funded through money seized from arrested drug dealers.

The sheriff’s office unveiled the truck in a video posted on its official social media accounts, including a Facebook reel, showing deputies distributing ice cream and frozen treats to children and families at community locations.

The truck prominently features a message on its side accompanied by three laughing emojis that reads: “This ice cream truck was purchased with money seized from drug dealers.”

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According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the truck was purchased, outfitted, stocked, and placed into operation using funds obtained through asset forfeiture in drug-related cases.

Those funds, which include cash seized during arrests and investigations, are being redirected toward community-focused activities rather than remaining unused.

In the video, the sheriff’s office highlighted the connection between its drug enforcement operations and the new outreach program.

Footage included clips of deputies making drug arrests, images of bundles of seized cash, and scenes of families receiving free ice cream.

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A deputy featured in the video explained the purpose of the program, saying, “We’re able to use that and put it right back into our community, taking their drug money and using it for good.”

The sheriff’s office stated that the ice cream truck will operate on a rotating schedule, traveling to different neighborhoods on specific dates throughout the month.

Those dates and locations will be announced in advance through the agency’s social media channels so residents know when and where the truck will appear.

In addition to neighborhood stops, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office plans to deploy the ice cream truck at scheduled community engagement events, including barbecues, picnics, and other gatherings organized or supported by the agency.

The office also said it intends to make the truck available for use in partnership with nonprofit organizations that work with children and families in the area.

The video and accompanying posts repeatedly emphasized that the ice cream and frozen treats are provided at no cost to the public.

The sheriff’s office encouraged residents to attend the events, meet deputies, and enjoy the offerings without charge.

The initiative reflects a broader effort by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to pair enforcement actions with visible reinvestment in the community.

Drug trafficking investigations remain a core responsibility of the agency, but officials said the use of forfeited funds for community programs demonstrates how those enforcement actions can produce tangible benefits for residents.

Florida law allows law enforcement agencies to retain and repurpose assets seized in criminal cases, provided the funds are used for law enforcement or community-related purposes.

In this case, the sheriff’s office applied those resources toward a program aimed at engaging children and families in a non-enforcement setting.

The sheriff’s office has not released a full annual schedule for the ice cream truck but indicated that planning is ongoing and that monthly appearances are expected.

Officials also said feedback from residents will help determine how frequently the truck is deployed and which events it attends.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office serves one of Florida’s most populous counties and routinely conducts narcotics investigations targeting illegal drug distribution.

By linking those efforts with a visible community program, the agency said it hopes to strengthen relationships with residents while continuing its enforcement mission.

Further details about upcoming ice cream truck locations and nonprofit partnership opportunities are expected to be shared through the sheriff’s office’s official social media platforms in the coming weeks.

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