MONTGOMERY— Two specialized law enforcement units in south Alabama have each been awarded $265,000 in economic stimulus funds by Gov. Bob Riley. The grants will help fight the influx of illegal drugs in Covington and Escambia counties.
Both drug task forces search for illicit drug laboratories, infiltrate the drug community and arrest and prosecute drug offenders.
“Drug dealers bring more than illegal substances into a community, they also bring more crime and increased violence,” said Riley. “I commend the members of the Covington and Escambia task forces for getting these dangerous criminals off the streets.”
In Covington County, members of the Sheriff’s Office, the district attorney’s office and the Andalusia and Opp police departments make up the task force. The cities of Florala, Lockhart, Red Level and River Falls provide logistical support to the unit.
The task force that operates in Escambia County includes members from the Atmore, Brewton, East Brewton and Flomaton police departments, the Sheriff’s Department and the district attorney’s office.
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 Lynn Sasser, chairman of the Covington County Commission, and David Stokes, chairman of the Escambia County Commission, that the grants had been approved.
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Contact: Josh Carples; Larry Childers