The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday authorized the sheriff’s department to assign as many as 18 full-time detectives to a regional DEA task force that battles nearly 300 drug trafficking organizations.
Participating in the Southern California Drug Task Force gives deputies access to high-tech surveillance equipment, sophisticated wiretap investigations and other costly resources, according to a letter from Sheriff Jim McDonnell to the board.
McDonnell told the board that the Los Angeles region — which for purposes of the Drug Enforcement Administration includes Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties — is the only region that serves as a national-level drug distribution point for all of the five most frequently abused illegal drugs: cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana.
Nearly 300 narcotic trafficking organizations operate within the region, according to recent threat assessments cited by McDonnell, who said Mexican drug traffickers and local criminals are increasing their control over East Coast and other drug markets.
The sheriff’s department has been part of the Los Angeles Local High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), Southern California Drug Task Force since 1991.
During the 12 months ended June 30, 2015, the task force seized 823 kilograms of cocaine, 34 kilograms of heroin, 300 kilograms of methamphetamine and 1,157 kilograms of marijuana. It also made 130 arrests, seized 138 weapons and confiscated assets worth more than $9 million, according to the sheriff’s department.
Under the agreement authorized Tuesday, the county will pay the detectives’ salary and benefits and the DEA will pick up any overtime costs related to the task force.
— City News Service