Pubdate: Tue, 11 May 2004
Source: St. Joseph News-Press (MO)
Copyright: 2004 The News-Press, St. Joseph, Missouri
Contact:  http://www.stjoenews-press.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1510

DEA JOINS OUR TEAM

It is the kind of test that Northwest Missouri might just as soon fail, but 
don't count on that. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will assign 
an agent to work out of St. Joseph for a 90-day trial period. The agent 
will join forces with the Drug Strike Force and the federally sanctioned, 
multi-jurisdictional Northwest Missouri Interagency Team Response Operation 
in the battle against illegal drugs. The emphasis will be on the makers of 
methamphetamine who find our rural 26 counties an opportune environment.

"We all know the need is there," U.S. Rep. Sam Graves told our reporter. 
"The DEA can bring some more resources to the table."

The DEA is only giving our area a fair trial after months of lobbying by 
the Tarkio Republican. The agency's main division office is understandably 
in St. Louis. But DEA agents are also posted in Kansas City, Jefferson 
City, Springfield and Cape Girardeau. The congressman took our case 
straight to the top with a meeting last fall with DEA Administrator Karen 
Tandy.

"We talked at length about this, and I showed her the need," Mr. Graves 
recalled. "We have just as much need in our area as in any of the other 
areas of the state."

The real test starts now. The DEA connection brings important new weapons 
to the Midland Empire's war on drugs. The new team also will need your 
help. If you spot suspicious activity in your neighborhood, you should give 
this new team a call. The final grade on this test will be based on our 
team effort.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom