DRUG UNITS FROM CITY, COUNTY TO JOIN FORCES

Drug detectives with the Evansville police and Vanderburgh County sheriff's
departments are often on the trail of the same suspects.

So it only makes sense for them to work in the same office, both law
enforcement agencies say.

"I think we can work more efficiently together rather than the county off
working by itself and the city off working by itself," Evansville Police
Chief David Gulledge said. "Sometimes we're working on the same people and
don't know it."

The two agencies will be combining their drug investigation units over the
next several weeks. The office will include the Evansville Police
Department's Drug Interdiction Unit, sheriff's personnel, a deputy
Vanderburgh County prosecutor and support staff.

In all, the office will have at least 20 people. A site has been selected,
but officials declined to reveal it until the property acquisition is complete.

Gulledge said the property will be purchased by the Multi-Agency Drug Task
Force, which is funded by money seized from local individuals arrested on
drug charges.

Combining all of Vanderburgh County's drug investigation resources under
one roof makes sense, said Chief Deputy Eric Williams of the Sheriff's
Department.

"It makes the best use of both groups' personnel," Williams said. "(Drug)
investigations are often intertwined and intermingled, and we often find
we're looking at the same people."

Officials with both agencies say the local cocaine, marijuana and
methamphetamine businesses are booming.

In the city limits, 54 meth labs have been seized this year. Thirty- six
labs were seized in all of 2001.

Vanderburgh County sheriff's deputies have seized 28 labs this year,
compared to 16 in all of 2001.

A majority of Vanderburgh County Jail inmates are facing charges that are
in some way related to drugs, Williams said.

Besides those charged with possessing, dealing or manufacturing drugs,
people who commit crimes such as robbery, burglary and theft often do so to
support drug habits, according to authorities.

And, Gulledge added, "When you have stabbings and shootings, they're more
often than not related to drugs."

Law enforcement officials hope the combined unit will help them get a
better handle on local drug traffic.

No date for the office's opening has been set, but officials say the
project is on a fast track.

For Evansville police, the drug unit will be the second unit to relocate
this year. The newly formed Domestic and Sexual Violence Unit has taken up
residency in the Old Courthouse.