MONTGOMERY— The fight against illegal drugs in Shelby County is getting a boost from a $475,000 economic stimulus grant awarded by Gov. Bob Riley.
The grant to the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force will fund the law enforcement officers and attorneys who investigate, arrest and prosecute drug offenders.
“Violent crime and illegal drugs go hand-in-hand,” said Riley. “I am pleased to support the efforts of this task force to apprehend criminals and protect the safety of residents.”
The police departments of Alabaster, Harpersville and Montevallo, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the district attorney’s office compose the task force. Since 2004, they have worked together to locate and destroy drug laboratories, investigate drug sellers and distributors, arrest suspects and conduct prosecutions.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Justice as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Riley notified Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock that the grant had been approved.
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Contact: Josh Carples; Larry Childers