State Commends Drug Task Force

As agents with the 22nd Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force continue to go
about business as usual, working to remove illegal drugs from Covington
County, their efforts are winning statewide recognition.

"Their success rate has been absolutely phenomenal," House Speaker Seth
Hammett said. "They risk their own personal safety, and we want to
recognize their exemplary efforts with the highest commendations for the
22nd Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force."

Hammett on Friday announced that the Alabama Legislature passed a
resolution which he co-sponsored with State Sen. Jimmy Holley, recognizing
the drug task force for their work in south Alabama.

"We were delighted to sponsor this resolution," Hammett said. "Their
success has been greater than we ever imagined. They are sending a message
to people using and dealing illegal drugs that Covington County is not a
place for them to be."

The resolution cited each drug task force member and commended them for
their efforts to "eradicate illegal drugs using aggressive, effective and
ethical means," as well as having a "conviction rate at the circuit level
of 100 percent."

"This is an effort as fine as I have ever witnessed," Holley said of the
task force's effort. "We want those dealing in illegal drugs to know we
will continue our effort to eliminate illegal drugs. We owe a debt of
gratitude to you."

Among drug task force accomplishments Hammett cited were the confiscation
of 46 operational meth labs as well as one of the largest drug busts in
Alabama history. On March 1, the task force recovered 12 gallons of meth
oil, 101 pounds of the substance.

One drug task force agent said while the arrest was a large one, it has not
reduced the availability of methamphetamine on the street. The arrest was
made in a rural area between Opp and Andalusia, according to drug task
force commander, Mike Bowlan. An investigation is still pending and no
other details of the meth oil recovery are available at this time.

"This shows what we can do when we work collectively to do something about
the drug problem," said Ben Bowden, special prosecutor for the drug task
force. "I want to especially thank the agents for putting their lives on
the line day in and day out.

"I want to thank Speaker Hammett and Sen. Holley, without their efforts,
the drug task force would not be possible."

The drug task force began work in September 2000 and was made possible by a
$175,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

"The drug task force is something we have been interested in for a very
long time," Hammett said.

Those present at the resolution announcement included the drug task force
board of directors, including Covington County District Attorney Eugenia
Loggins, Sheriff Anthony Clark, police chiefs from Andalusia, Opp and
Florala, as well as Bowden and Greg Gambril, chief assistant district
attorney. Also on hand were drug task force agents and members of the
Covington County Commission.

"I am proud we have these young men to work with us," Loggins said of the
drug task force. "We would not have the success rate we do without the work
of the drug task force."

Wilbur Williams Jr., Andalusia police chief, also acknowledged the work of
behind the scenes workers ­ the agent's wives.

"Ladies, we deeply appreciate what you allow your husbands to do," he said.

After the removal of television cameras Bowlan spoke on behalf of the drug
task force.

"It is a great honor accepting this on behalf of the drug task force," he
said. "Thank you to the agents' wives, without them we wouldn't be where we
are today."

"We can't take all the glory for this, a lot of people help us when we need
it," he said.

Hammett wrapped up the event with a message.

"What we are trying to say to those involved with illegal drugs is, this is
no place for you to be. Go some place else," Hammett said.