Enhance Criminal Narcotics Investigative Abilities of the West Texas HIDTA's 'El Paso Multi-Agency Task Force'

The State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Program: Combating Criminal Narcotics Activity Stemming from the Southern border of the United States under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is designed to provide resources for hiring, retention, assistance, and equipment to local law enforcement along the Southern border and in High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas in order to combat criminal narcotics activity stemming from the Southern border of the United States. For the purpose of this solicitation, the term 'criminal narcotics activity' includes all drugs controlled by the Controlled Substance Act 21 USC Section 801.

Under Category I: Combating Criminal Narcotics Activity, the Anthony Police Department (APD) will use its award to enhance the criminal narcotics investigative abilities of the West Texas High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) El Paso Multi-Agency Task Force. The APD is a partner in the task force, and will enhance operational capacity supporting two personnel positions, providing necessary resources such as vehicles, laptops, and overtime, and by replacing the previous narcotics K-9 who had retired over a year ago.

Mexican drug trafficking organizations along the Southwest Border control the El Paso/Juarez, Mexico corridor, and narcotics-related violence in Juarez has reached an all-time high. The West Texas HIDTA Task Force disrupted or dismantled 138 drug trafficking organizations and seized over $466 million in narcotics. The Southern Border funds will pay for two task force officers and purchase a new K-9. The grant will also pay for overtime for the K-9 handler. The APD will use the grant to purchase three SUVs to assist the undercover officers in blending in with other similar vehicles in the areas of high narcotics trafficking. The award will purchase laptop computers for better mobile surveillance, various tactical weaponry, and bulletproof vests. The APD has also budgeted to send two personnel to U.S. Department of Justice and regional trainings.

CA/NCF