PUTNAM DRUG UNIT GETS FUNDS

Area Being Overwhelmed by Meth, Sheriff Says

WINFIELD -- Putnam County has more than $20,000 to aid in drug
enforcement activities after recent seizures of drug-related property
and cash.

Capt. Chuck Sadler, administrative services bureau chief of the
Charleston Police Department, awarded Putnam County Sheriff Stan
Farley and Narcotics Enforcement Unit Detective Jack Luikart about
$10,050 each Monday at the Putnam County Courthouse.

The money will be used to combat drug activity in the county, Luikart
said. The Putnam County Narcotics Enforcement Unit joined the
federally funded Metro Drug Enforcement Network Team in January. That
group includes the Charleston, Dunbar, Nitro, St. Albans, South
Charleston police departments, the Kanawha and Putnam county sheriffs
departments and the State Police.

"Together we can make a difference," Sadler said.

Luikart said the money he accepted Monday will allow the Metro Drug
Unit to purchase narcotics in undercover investigations, buy equipment
and train officers.

Farley said his department will use the money to purchase an ATV for
marijuana eradication and a "groundhog camera" that can be buried in
the ground and used for surveillance. The groundhog camera can record
up to 30 days at a time, Farley said.

Methamphetamine labs are the main problem in Putnam County, Luikart
said.

"We're just completely overwhelmed with them," he said. "(It) seems
like our rural area here is more popular for people who are involved
in coke and methamphetamine."

Luikart said dealers like to cook their product in rural areas because
less chance exists that neighbors may smell the labs.

A Putnam County grand jury recently indicted eight people on 25 counts
of drug-related crimes in Putnam County.

Luikart said some of that success could be attributed to Putnam County
residents.

"Our citizens have stepped up their efforts (in) reporting these
people," he said.

Luikart said Putnam County law enforcement officials receive phone
calls with tips on a daily basis, reporting suspicious activity such
as the purchase of large quantities of iodine or other chemicals used
in drug production.