Pubdate: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 Source: Sioux City Journal (IA) Copyright: 2007 Sioux City Journal Contact: http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/945 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) SIOUX CITY POLICE OFFICER RECOGNIZED Sioux City Police Officer Brad Downing has received the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Chairman's Award for 2006 in recognition of his drug enforcement efforts. Downing was recognized for both his personal and team efforts, as well as the leadership he provided, "in some of the most significant narcotics trafficking cases, not only in Sioux City but within the entire Siouxland area," Sgt. Kevin Heineman said Wednesday. "While investigating a crack cocaine distribution operation in the Sioux City area, Task Force Officer Downing was responsible for the arrest of 39 suspects, seizure of 324 grams of crack cocaine and seizure of $16,828," Heineman said. "Officer Downing's efforts over the past two years, while assigned to the Tri-State Drug Task Force, have had a direct and dramatic effect on local as well as regional drug trafficking affecting the Siouxland area and beyond." HIDTA is a federally funded designated area that receives funding for narcotics law enforcement. Midwest HIDTA covers 74 counties in a six- state region. Downing was selected for the honor through a nomination process involving all 37 drug task forces in the Midwest region Downing began working for the police department on April 4, 1991, according to the city's human resources department. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin