(File Photo)

By Staff Reports 

FORT PAYNE, Ala. – According to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office: Sheriff Jimmy Harris is pleased to announce three of his Drug Task Force agents were honored Thursday, Jan. 11, at the state’s Capitol as part of the new Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force.

Law enforcement agency leaders from around the state gathered Thursday, Jan. 11, at the Capitol to participate in a ceremony honoring members of the newly created Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force.

The ADETF mission is to share resources and intelligence to dismantle drug trafficking organizations and fight violent crime. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) worked together, in conjunction with law enforcement agencies from around the state, to establish this statewide program in October 2017. Governor Kay Ivey announced the task force in a November 2017 news release.

ALEA’s Secretary of Law Enforcement Hal Taylor has already been pleased with the task force’s progress and said, “It’s not just drugs. You’ll take murderers off the streets. You’ll take guns off the street. What this task force will do will be so good for the state.”

ADECA is administering approximately $1.3 million in grants to cover the task force’s operational expenses, equipment purchases, training opportunities, overtime pay and travel.

ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said, “I commend those law enforcement officers who have agreed to become a part of the Alabama drug Enforcement Task Force and the commitment and sacrifices they make in carrying out their duties. ADECA is proud to be a part of this process that will take drugs out of our communities and make our streets safer.”

The ADETF currently comprises 47 member agencies and 75 Task Force Officers. During the first three months of operation, the task force has opened 172 criminal investigations, resulting in 275 criminal charges and 99 arrest. Members also have seized illegal drugs including opioid drugs, heroin, cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamines with a total street value of approximately $2.1 million. In addition to drugs, 98 firearms have been seized from persons operating in the illegal drug trade.

Chief Deputy and Drug Task Force Commander Michael Edmondson said, “It is an honor for us to have three of our full-time Drug Task Force members as part of the new Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force and for us to say that they have been part of these operations of seizing illegal drugs and firearms possessed by persons operating illegal drug trades. This will also allows us to partner with other Task Force Agents from all over the State to help with the fight against drugs in our County and other Counties as well. These three agents have worked very hard at their jobs and they deserve this achievement.”