MONTGOMERY— Gov. Bob Riley has awarded $294,000, primarily from economic stimulus funds, to continue the battle against illegal drugs in Chambers County.
The grant will help fund the county’s multi-jurisdictional drug task force. The specialized unit combats drug use and trafficking in the area by conducting undercover operations, finding and destroying drug-making laboratories, and arresting and prosecuting drug offenders.
“Drug dealers not only bring illegal substances into a community, they also bring increased crime and violence,” said Riley. “I commend the members of this task force for fighting this menace and working for the safety of the residents of Chambers County.”
The task force was established in 1998 and includes agents from the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, the district attorney’s office and the police departments of LaFayette and Lanett.
Along with prosecuting drug offenders, the task force also seizes money, property and vehicles used in drug activity.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funding made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Justice. The majority of the funds were allocated to the state under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Riley notified Jack Bunn, chairman of the Chambers County Commission, that the grant had been approved.
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Contact: Josh Carples; Larry Childers