AGENCIES BUSY WITH DRUG SEIZURES

Thomas County law enforcement agencies have seized almost a million dollars
in drug money since the first of the year, but they aren't the only police
agency taking drugs and drug money out of northwest Kansas.

The Kansas Highway Patrol and other police and sheriff's departments have
also been busy with drug seizures.

According to Kansas Highway Patrol spokesman John Eichkorn, Topeka,
troopers have taken 104 pounds of cocaine, 2,667 pounds of marijuana, 7.5
pounds of methamphetamine, and $347,800 in cash out of circulation along
Interstate 70 since Jan. 1.

Kelly McGuire, commander of Troop D, based in Hays, said Thomas County has
had 16 seizures; Ellis, 7; Sherman, 2; Trego, 1; Logan, 1; Gove, 3; and
Russell, 1.

Eichkorn said part of the patrol's success has been to stay as informed as
those committing the crimes.

"Law enforcement agencies across the nation are continually updating the
mode of operation and watching the trends to see what's occurring in the
criminal arena. When they change, we have to change to stay successful,"
Eichkorn said.

Eickhorn said it often amazes him the lengths individuals will go to try
and transport drugs and money. Part of that aspect calls for troopers and
other law enforcement officers to take extra care when investigating for drugs.

"Nothing's off limits. We have even seen drugs packed in a baby's car
seat," he said.

Eickhorn said the stops along I-70 growing in number, as are those in other
parts of the state.

"Another big area is I-35. But, because of the nature of our job, we are
set up in such a way that we are able to interdict these shipments. Kansas,
because of its location, allows us to be able to interdict the shipments as
they move east to west, and north to south. Shipments don't necessarily
originate here in Kansas - they are often just passing through from Mexico
and California. What you'll see is drugs headed one way and money headed
another," he said.

Eickhorn said the individuals transporting drugs and money are not specific
to any age, race or gender.

"The criminal element that deals with illegal drugs is continually changing
the way it looks and the way it conducts its business in an attempt to
elude authorities. We try to work very closely with the local county
attorneys and local authorities, and we are being as successful as we are
because of that," he said.

Part of that cooperation is to utilize not only the patrol's drug dogs, but
to work with local law enforcement agencies who have drug dogs. The Thomas
County Sheriff's office utilizes the dog from the Colby Police Department,
and Eichkorn said the patrol also utilizes the Colby dog when troopers are
out west and one of their dogs is not available.

In northwest Kansas, Ellis and Russell Counties also have drug dogs.

Ellis County Undersheriff Bruce Hertel said when the Highway Patrol's dog
handler is not available, other agencies in the area call for the Ellis
County Sheriff's department to bring their dog, Harry.

Both the patrol's dog and Harry are called out when police are searching
for someone, Hertel said. Any time the Highway Patrol's infrared-equipped
airplane is called out, both dogs are called to search on the ground at the
same time the airplane is searching from the sky. One reason for calling
out both dogs is that if the dogs get tired on the track, they can relieve
each other, Hertel said.

The Highway Patrol has six drug dogs on duty, located in the Hays, Topeka,
Wichita, Salina and Burlington areas, according to Lt. Rick Peters,
supervisor of the dogs. The patrol has three additional dogs used for such
purposes as sniffing for explosives.