DRUG FIGHT

Bureau Can't Slip Back Into Insularity

Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director Frank Melton may have a point that his
agency is strapped for cash, but changing the share between state and local
authorities of money derived from drug bust seizures isn't the answer.

Under current law, when MBN initiates a bust, MBN gives up 80 percent
of forfeiture proceeds to local agencies.

Melton wants the Legislature to change that to 50-50.

Bad idea. Until a couple of years ago, the split was the opposite: 80
percent for MBN. It was reversed for a reason.

For years, the "rap" on MBN was that it was "a bunch of cowboys"
running roughshod over local law enforcement.

There was little cooperation and even deep hostility.

The idea was that reversing the share would result in more effective
crime fighting (and more proceeds to split).

The MBN needs to be working more with local local enforcement and
local law enforcement should be making drugs more of a priority.

Yes, Melton is right that the MBN needs more state funding and should
have it. But the forfeiture formula should stay as it is to encourage
local drug enforcement.