Pubdate: Thu, 28 Feb 2008
Source: Bulletin, The (Philadelphia, PA)
Copyright: 2008 The Bulletin
Contact:  http://www.thebulletin.us
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4534
Author: Jenny DeHuff

ONDCP CRACKING DOWN ON DRUG TRAFFICKING IN SUBURBS

Philadelphia - Illegal drug traffickers in the suburbs might find 
they face greater obstacles, thanks to new federal resources from the 
Office of National Dug Control Policy (ONDCP).

U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan, joined by U.S. Marshal Gary Shovlin, 
announced the designation of the expansion of the federal High 
Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) in parts of Chester and 
Delaware counties from the U.S. Attorney's office yesterday.

The $4 million in federal resources will target areas of major 
illegal drug production, manufacturing, importation and distribution.

"The federal resources made available through HIDTA not only help 
Chester and Delaware counties in their fight against drug 
traffickers, but will subsequently add leverage to the efforts of our 
office, as well," Mr. Meehan said.

Some of the program's key priorities include assessing regional drug 
threats, facilitating anti-drug coordination between federal, state 
and local law enforcement, developing initiatives that improve the 
effectiveness and efficiency of drug control efforts and reducing and 
eliminating drug trafficking altogether.

Mr. Shovlin is also chairman of the Philadelphia/Camden HIDTA's 
executive board.

"On behalf of the drug czar," he said, referencing ONDCP Director 
John T. Walters, "today is bad day for drug trafficking in Pennsylvania."

Mr. Meehan said, last year alone, investigators recovered more than 
$7 million in cocaine and heroine from the streets of Chester County.

"These are the kinds of regional threats we face," he said.

Chester County District Attorney Joseph Carroll and Delaware County 
District Attorney Michael Green were also present for the announcement.

"It is really gratifying to gain this recognition publicly," said Mr. Green.

"This team has been working year-round in close collaborative 
building relationships that have one thing in mind - to take down 
drug trafficking in these regions."

As a first step in the federal selection process for these funds, the 
Philadelphia/Camden HIDTA conducted a "threat assessment" of the two 
counties, identifying prevailing and emerging drug trafficking, drug 
abuse, money laundering and gang and violence crime trends.

In total, 26 counties throughout the U.S. were designated for the 
HIDTA program, including counties in Arkansas, California, Georgia, 
Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom