MONTGOMERY— Gov. Bob Riley has awarded two economic stimulus grants totaling $950,000 to fight illegal drugs in Calhoun, Cleburne and Talladega counties.
Two drug task forces – one operating in Calhoun and Cleburne counties and the other in Talladega County – will receive $475,000 each to investigate, arrest and prosecute drug dealers and dismantle illegal drug labs.
“The destructive impact of illegal drugs can be seen in broken families and lost lives,” said Riley. “These task forces are dedicated to eliminating this menace to the community, and I commend their efforts.”
The units conduct undercover operations to infiltrate the drug community and coordinate their operations with law enforcement agencies in neighboring counties and with state and federal drug agents.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants 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 Anniston Mayor Gene Robinson and Chairman Jimmy Roberson of the Talladega County Commission that the grants had been approved. Anniston is the hub for the Calhoun/Cleburne task force. The Talladega County Commission is the fiscal agent for the Talladega unit.
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Contact: Josh Carples; Larry Childers