SEARCH UNDER WAY FOR NEW DRUG WAR CZAR

Several Interested To Be Executive For Task Force

CROWN POINT - A high-ranking area FBI agent has applied to head a
local law enforcement agency that pumps $3 million annually into the
area's war on drugs.

FBI Supervisory Special Agent Mark Becker said Monday he has applied
to become executive director of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking
Area task force.

Becker said he has heard others, including at least one well-known
political figure, intend to apply for the job.

Becker has been head of the Gang Response Investigative Team, a group
of local detectives whose undercover drug investigations over the last
decade have resulted in the conviction of dozens of street gang members.

Schererville Police Chief David Dowling said Monday he is acting as
interim executive director of HIDTA until a search committee of the
board of directors appoints a new executive.

Dowling declined comment Monday on whether he is one of those
interested in the permanent executive position.

Dowling directed all inquires to FBI Acting Supervisory Special Agent
Thomas Gancarz, whose office in Indianapolis was closed Christmas Eve.
Gancarz is the new chairman of the HIDTA board of directors.

The new executive would be the fourth since HIDTA was formed in 1997.
It is a cooperative effort among federal and local law enforcement
officials to coordinate the investigation and arrest of street gangs
and drug dealers who are responsible for much of the area's violent
crime. It has an annual budget of $3 million.

Leo Arreguin Jr. served as executive director for more than three
years. He is leaving next week, Dowling said.

HIDTA underwent turmoil this fall when the Office of National Drug
Control Policy in Washington, D.C., audited the program and forced out
Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez after making public allegations there
was questionable, although not illegal, fiscal practices at HIDTA.

The sheriff said Gancarz later publicly absolved him of any hint of
wrongdoing.