Pubdate: Tue, 21 May 2002
Source: Leesville Daily Leader (LA)
Copyright: 2002 Leesville Leader
Contact:  http://www.leesvilledailyleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1905
Author: Kelly Moore

ANACOCO COUNCIL UPDATED ON NARCOTICS TASK FORCE

Mike Gore, supervisor with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force, 
recently updated the Anacoco Village Council about advancements made 
within the parish.

"All law enforcement (agencies) throughout Vernon Parish work 
together to try and combat the flow of drugs throughout the parish," 
said Gore.

The Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force is comprised of six officers. 
Although it is a division of the Vernon Parish Sheriffs Office 
(VPSO), it is housed separately. The task force has members from the 
VPSO, Leesville City Police, and New Llano Police Department. There 
are also K-9 units that work with the task force.

To date this year, there have been 94 arrests. Forty-five were repeat 
offenders, and 89 of the people arrested were 18 years of age or 
older. There have been approximately $20,000 seized. The money seized 
will go to court costs as well as towards funding operating costs of 
the task force.

The task force is primarily funded by grants. The grant that the task 
force receives is $15,000 and must be matched. In the past the task 
force has not had the funds, and the VPSO, Leesville City Police, and 
the New Llano Police Department have been responsible for matching 
the grant. The maximum amount that they have to match is $15,000.

"The grant works off of a total reimbursement. We have to spend it 
before we can get it back," said Gore.

This year, with $20,000 seized, the task force will have the money to 
match the grant. Therefore, the VPSO, Leesville City police, and the 
New Llano Police Department will not have to give the maximum amount 
for the grant matching.

Gore explained that one of the ways the task force succeeds in 
stopping drug trafficking is by heavily patrolling the local highways.

"Highway interdiction is a great tool for narcotics, because cocaine 
is not grown locally. You are not going to go outside and see a cocoa 
plant. It has go to get here some way, and the favorite way is by 
vehicle," said Gore.

The Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force continues to work will all law 
enforcement agencies as well as with the public. If you suspect any 
drug activity you can call 238-2881 to report it.

By Kelly Moore Staff Writer

Mike Gore, supervisor with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force, 
recently updated the Anacoco Village Council about advancements made 
within the parish.

"All law enforcement (agencies) throughout Vernon Parish work 
together to try and combat the flow of drugs throughout the parish," 
said Gore.

The Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force is comprised of six officers. 
Although it is a division of the Vernon Parish Sheriffs Office 
(VPSO), it is housed separately. The task force has members from the 
VPSO, Leesville City Police, and New Llano Police Department. There 
are also K-9 units that work with the task force.

To date this year, there have been 94 arrests. Forty-five were repeat 
offenders, and 89 of the people arrested were 18 years of age or 
older. There have been approximately $20,000 seized. The money seized 
will go to court costs as well as towards funding operating costs of 
the task force.

The task force is primarily funded by grants. The grant that the task 
force receives is $15,000 and must be matched. In the past the task 
force has not had the funds, and the VPSO, Leesville City Police, and 
the New Llano Police Department have been responsible for matching 
the grant. The maximum amount that they have to match is $15,000.

"The grant works off of a total reimbursement. We have to spend it 
before we can get it back," said Gore.

This year, with $20,000 seized, the task force will have the money to 
match the grant. Therefore, the VPSO, Leesville City police, and the 
New Llano Police Department will not have to give the maximum amount 
for the grant matching.

Gore explained that one of the ways the task force succeeds in 
stopping drug trafficking is by heavily patrolling the local highways.

"Highway interdiction is a great tool for narcotics, because cocaine 
is not grown locally. You are not going to go outside and see a cocoa 
plant. It has go to get here some way, and the favorite way is by 
vehicle," said Gore.

The Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force continues to work will all law 
enforcement agencies as well as with the public. If you suspect any 
drug activity you can call 238-2881 to report it.
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