SHERIFFS PRAISE BILL GIVING LOCAL AGENCIES A LARGER TAKE IN DRUG RAIDS

JACKSON (Associated Press) - State and local law enforcers are praising a
new law that will give police and sheriffs departments a larger share of
money and property seized in drug raids.

Starting July 1, when local agencies work with the Mississippi Bureau of
Narcotics, they will keep 80 percent of proceeds from drug busts and MBN
will keep 20 percent.

Since 1972, those proportions have been reversed, with 80 percent going to
MBN and 20 percent to local sheriffs or police departments.

MBN Director Don Strange asked for the change as a way to increase
cooperation between the statewide agency and local officials.

"I think it's going to make a big difference in the bureau being able to
give money where it's really needed most," Strange said.

Strange and other law enforcement officials joined Gov. Ronnie Musgrove at
the Capitol on Monday for a ceremonial bill signing. Musgrove signed the
bill March 5. It will become law July 1.

Claiborne County Sheriff Frank Davis, president of the Mississippi Sheriffs
Association, said the new law will "give us money and resources to be able
to buy larger quantities of drugs off the streets."

"We've been able to go out there and buy $20 of drugs from the $20 drug
dealers. Now we're going to be able to go and buy from the larger
individuals that's behind the closed doors," Davis said.

Davis said departments also will use the money to buy more equipment and
hire more undercover officers.

Musgrove said increasing cooperation between state and local law
enforcement agencies will improve Mississippians' quality of life.

"By working together as a single unit, we will make our schools, our homes
and our communities safer places to work and to raise our families,"
Musgrove said.

The bill is Senate Bill 2708.