MONTGOMERY— Gov. Bob Riley has awarded a $389,411 economic stimulus grant to continue the efforts of the Marshall County Drug Enforcement Unit.
The unit investigates drug-related crime, seeks and destroys dangerous methamphetamine labs and other illegal drugs, and arrests and prosecutes drug offenders.
“Illegal drugs not only destroy the lives of users, they also are responsible for increased crime and violence,” said Riley. “I commend the members of the Drug Enforcement Unit for their efforts to remove dangerous drugs and drug dealers from our streets.”
All law enforcement agencies in Marshall County are represented in the unit, including the sheriff’s office, district attorney’s office and the police departments of Albertville, Arab, Boaz, Grant and Guntersville.
The unit participates in joint investigations alongside the federal Drug Enforcement Agency and the FBI and also conducts drug prevention programs for students at area schools.
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 of 2009.
Riley notified Douglas Fleming, chairman of the Marshall County Commission, that the grant had been approved.
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Contact: Josh Carples; Larry Childers