Pubdate: Fri, 26 Jan 2007
Source: Asheville Citizen-Times (NC)
Copyright: 2007 Asheville Citizen-Times
Contact:  http://www.citizen-times.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/863
Author: Adam Behsudi

DUNCAN PRESENTS DRUG FORCE CHANGES

ASHEVILLE -- Changes for Buncombe County's main drug enforcement 
agency are in the works, Sheriff Van Duncan said Thursday.

The sheriff, almost two months into his job as the county's top 
lawman, presented changes for drug enforcement during a presentation 
to the Council of Independent Business Owners.

He said the Metropolitan Enforcement Group, also known as MEG, could 
be renamed and refocused to fight street-level and intermediate drug 
dealers. "We're hoping to become more effective," Duncan said. The 
agency is a cooperative effort between officers from the sheriff's 
department and the State Bureau of Investigation and is active in 
targeting large distributors. But with increased federal Drug 
Enforcement Agency presence in Buncombe County, MEG could be 
duplicating drug-fighting efforts, Duncan said.

The Asheville Police Department pulled out of the cooperative agency 
about two years ago to concentrate on street-level dealing within the 
city. "If you ask me, the biggest challenge we have ahead of us is 
the drug problem in Asheville and Buncombe County," Duncan said. 
Asheville City Councilman Carl Mumpower said the sheriff's focus on 
drug enforcement is encouraging. Mumpower has been critical of city 
police for not being tough enough on drugs.

"I think he's serious," Mumpower said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman