ANACOCO COUNCIL UPDATED ON NARCOTICS TASK FORCE

Mike Gore, supervisor with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force,
recently updated the Anacoco Village Council about advancements made
within the parish.

"All law enforcement (agencies) throughout Vernon Parish work
together to try and combat the flow of drugs throughout the parish,"
said Gore.

The Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force is comprised of six officers.
Although it is a division of the Vernon Parish Sheriffs Office
(VPSO), it is housed separately. The task force has members from the
VPSO, Leesville City Police, and New Llano Police Department. There
are also K-9 units that work with the task force.

To date this year, there have been 94 arrests. Forty-five were repeat
offenders, and 89 of the people arrested were 18 years of age or
older. There have been approximately $20,000 seized. The money seized
will go to court costs as well as towards funding operating costs of
the task force.

The task force is primarily funded by grants. The grant that the task
force receives is $15,000 and must be matched. In the past the task
force has not had the funds, and the VPSO, Leesville City Police, and
the New Llano Police Department have been responsible for matching
the grant. The maximum amount that they have to match is $15,000.

"The grant works off of a total reimbursement. We have to spend it
before we can get it back," said Gore.

This year, with $20,000 seized, the task force will have the money to
match the grant. Therefore, the VPSO, Leesville City police, and the
New Llano Police Department will not have to give the maximum amount
for the grant matching.

Gore explained that one of the ways the task force succeeds in
stopping drug trafficking is by heavily patrolling the local highways.

"Highway interdiction is a great tool for narcotics, because cocaine
is not grown locally. You are not going to go outside and see a cocoa
plant. It has go to get here some way, and the favorite way is by
vehicle," said Gore.

The Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force continues to work will all law
enforcement agencies as well as with the public. If you suspect any
drug activity you can call 238-2881 to report it.

By Kelly Moore Staff Writer

Mike Gore, supervisor with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force,
recently updated the Anacoco Village Council about advancements made
within the parish.

"All law enforcement (agencies) throughout Vernon Parish work
together to try and combat the flow of drugs throughout the parish,"
said Gore.

The Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force is comprised of six officers.
Although it is a division of the Vernon Parish Sheriffs Office
(VPSO), it is housed separately. The task force has members from the
VPSO, Leesville City Police, and New Llano Police Department. There
are also K-9 units that work with the task force.

To date this year, there have been 94 arrests. Forty-five were repeat
offenders, and 89 of the people arrested were 18 years of age or
older. There have been approximately $20,000 seized. The money seized
will go to court costs as well as towards funding operating costs of
the task force.

The task force is primarily funded by grants. The grant that the task
force receives is $15,000 and must be matched. In the past the task
force has not had the funds, and the VPSO, Leesville City Police, and
the New Llano Police Department have been responsible for matching
the grant. The maximum amount that they have to match is $15,000.

"The grant works off of a total reimbursement. We have to spend it
before we can get it back," said Gore.

This year, with $20,000 seized, the task force will have the money to
match the grant. Therefore, the VPSO, Leesville City police, and the
New Llano Police Department will not have to give the maximum amount
for the grant matching.

Gore explained that one of the ways the task force succeeds in
stopping drug trafficking is by heavily patrolling the local highways.

"Highway interdiction is a great tool for narcotics, because cocaine
is not grown locally. You are not going to go outside and see a cocoa
plant. It has go to get here some way, and the favorite way is by
vehicle," said Gore.

The Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force continues to work will all law
enforcement agencies as well as with the public. If you suspect any
drug activity you can call 238-2881 to report it.