BUSH REPLACES DRUG TASK FORCE

Former team under investigation on allegations of financial impropriety

MIDLAND - Gov. George W. Bush has formed the West Texas Narcotics
Enforcement Task Force to replace the embattled Permian Basin Drug Task
Force, which he shut down after allegations of financial impropriety.

The members of the defunct Permian Basin task force are under investigation
by the FBI, the Texas attorney general's office and the Texas Rangers.
Officials at the investigating agencies have declined to comment on the
specific allegations against the task force.

The Texas Department of Public Safety will lead the new task force, which
will be composed of sheriffs and police from several area counties.

"I appreciate the willingness of the DPS to quickly step in and help during
this time of transition," Mr. Bush said in a weekend news release.

"This task force will help area law enforcement fight illegal drugs."

Permian Basin Task Force Cmdr. Tom Finley denied any wrongdoing on the part
of his agency and told the Midland Reporter-Telegram that the task force
was the victim of "a lot of infighting in law enforcement itself."

"It's a sad day for law enforcement when it comes down to this," Cmdr.
Finley said.

Mr. Bush's decision also angered members of the task force board, who last
week asked the governor to consider naming an interim director for the task
force.

"We are not going to let DPS run a local task force," Jeff Davis County
Sheriff Steve Bailey told the Odessa American.

"I guarantee this thing is not through. I hope everyone will show Mr. Bush
our disapproval of this thing in writing," Sheriff Bailey said. "I'm sure
going to, nose-to-nose, if I can get to him."

The task force was formed about 10 years ago to serve 15 West Texas
counties. It's funded with a grant from the Criminal Justice Division of
the governor's office and a matching grant from Ector County.

Ector County District Attorney John Smith said the investigation was
prompted 18 months ago by a letter from Yoakum County District Attorney
Richard Clark.

The letter contained allegations by a former task force member, Mr. Smith said.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)