The grant will help the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board continue its Enforcement Statewide Drug Task Force, which helps law enforcement agencies throughout the state conduct drug investigations.

“Illegal drugs destroy lives and pose a serious threat to the safety of our communities,” Bentley said. “This specialized unit provides valuable support to the law enforcement officers who are working hard to keep our neighborhoods safe.”

The task force assists local agencies with drug investigations and undercover operations. Many police departments in small towns are unable to carry out extensive drug investigations because of limited budgets and lack of training and manpower.

The task force participates in more than 1,000 drug-related cases each year.

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.

Bentley notified Mac Gipson, administrator of the Alabama ABC Board, that the grant had been approved.

Contact: Mike Presley, Larry Childers