WINTF LEADERS BREAK THEIR SILENCE

Salisbury- Leaders of a county wide undercover drug team broke their
silence Wednesday in the wake of misconduct charges against one of the
group’s former leaders.

The advisory board of the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force announced
the city of Salisbury has rejoined the ranks of the unit two months after
suspended Police Chief Coulbourne Dykes withdrew the city in April. Dykes
is accused of mismanaging task force funds. Allegations have been made
Dykes pulled the city out of the WINTF to avoid discovery of misconduct.

Flanked by representatives of the six-member team, Wicomico County Sheriff
R. Hunter Nelms said the group is doing everything it can to ensure the
task force has done nothing illegal or improper.

Nelms, however, stressed the group would deal with any evidence of
misconduct raised in the audit and said WINTF will request a review of all
audit findings by the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. Maryland State
Police are expected to complete an audit later this month of all car, drug
and money seizures during the 10-year history of the team.

Officials refused to comment on the audit or any of the allegations
surrounding Dykes.

With the interim Salisbury Police Chief Ed Guthrie sitting besides him,
Nelms said Guthrie brought the interest of the city of Salisbury with him
to the task force.

WINTF is a cooperative effort of the Maryland State Police, the Sheriff’s
Office, the Wicomico County State Attorney’s Office and the police
departments for the cities of Salisbury, Delmar and Fruitland.

Checked-by: Richard Lake