Pubdate: Thu, 22 Aug 2002
Source: Evansville Courier & Press (IN)
Copyright: 2002 The Evansville Courier
Contact:  http://www.courierpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/138
Author: John Martin

DRUG UNITS FROM CITY, COUNTY TO JOIN FORCES

Drug detectives with the Evansville police and Vanderburgh County sheriff's 
departments are often on the trail of the same suspects.

So it only makes sense for them to work in the same office, both law 
enforcement agencies say.

"I think we can work more efficiently together rather than the county off 
working by itself and the city off working by itself," Evansville Police 
Chief David Gulledge said. "Sometimes we're working on the same people and 
don't know it."

The two agencies will be combining their drug investigation units over the 
next several weeks. The office will include the Evansville Police 
Department's Drug Interdiction Unit, sheriff's personnel, a deputy 
Vanderburgh County prosecutor and support staff.

In all, the office will have at least 20 people. A site has been selected, 
but officials declined to reveal it until the property acquisition is complete.

Gulledge said the property will be purchased by the Multi-Agency Drug Task 
Force, which is funded by money seized from local individuals arrested on 
drug charges.

Combining all of Vanderburgh County's drug investigation resources under 
one roof makes sense, said Chief Deputy Eric Williams of the Sheriff's 
Department.

"It makes the best use of both groups' personnel," Williams said. "(Drug) 
investigations are often intertwined and intermingled, and we often find 
we're looking at the same people."

Officials with both agencies say the local cocaine, marijuana and 
methamphetamine businesses are booming.

In the city limits, 54 meth labs have been seized this year. Thirty- six 
labs were seized in all of 2001.

Vanderburgh County sheriff's deputies have seized 28 labs this year, 
compared to 16 in all of 2001.

A majority of Vanderburgh County Jail inmates are facing charges that are 
in some way related to drugs, Williams said.

Besides those charged with possessing, dealing or manufacturing drugs, 
people who commit crimes such as robbery, burglary and theft often do so to 
support drug habits, according to authorities.

And, Gulledge added, "When you have stabbings and shootings, they're more 
often than not related to drugs."

Law enforcement officials hope the combined unit will help them get a 
better handle on local drug traffic.

No date for the office's opening has been set, but officials say the 
project is on a fast track.

For Evansville police, the drug unit will be the second unit to relocate 
this year. The newly formed Domestic and Sexual Violence Unit has taken up 
residency in the Old Courthouse.
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