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Myrick Announces Possible Program to Combat Drug Trafficking in Charlotte Area

(Charlotte, NC) – US Representative Sue Myrick (NC-09), in conjunction with Federal and local law enforcement, today announced the intent to apply for a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) designation for Mecklenburg, Gaston and Union Counties.

The HIDTA program is administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.  According to its website, the HIDTA program “enhances and coordinates drug control efforts among local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies. The program provides agencies with coordination, equipment, technology, and additional resources to combat drug trafficking and its harmful consequences in critical regions of the United States.”

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe Police Department and Gastonia Police Department have all agreed to file a joint application requesting the designation.  On the Federal level, the Department of Drug Enforcement (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) are involved.  

“Given the rapid growth we’re seeing in the area and our location at the intersection of several major interstates, it’s necessary that there’s a program in place to combat the intense amount of drug trafficking that happens in our area,” said Rep. Myrick.  “Having the additional resources to combat drug trafficking – which leads to increased violence – will allow local law enforcement to further protect the citizens in our area”.

"HIDTA brings additional Federal resources to communities affected by drug trafficking through the funding of co-located, collaborative Federal, State and local law enforcement task forces,” said Atlanta HIDTA Director Jack Killorin. “Only by working together can we achieve success in the effort to rid our communities of drug trafficking organizations and the destruction their presence creates”.

“CMPD is proud to be part of this effort as we believe that gaining the HIDTA designation will be a positive step toward helping our Department, and the community as a whole, achieve goals around reducing crime and improving quality of life in Charlotte-Mecklenburg,” said Rodney Monroe, Chief of Police. “HIDTA has proven to be an effective law enforcement strategy and we are confident it will provide additional support in helping us to dismantle certain types of organized criminal activities that exist in our community”.

“We welcome opportunities to work in partnership with other agencies to address local and regional problems,” said Gastonia Police Chief Tim Adams. “The HIDTA designation would strengthen our efforts to fight drugs and drug-related crime, and help to keep our citizens safe”.

"We are very excited about the prospect of HIDTA designation," said Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey.  "Given the regionalization of crime in today's world, and most especially with drug trafficking, a coordinated regional effort will have an immediate and lasting effect on breaking up these drug organizations and targeting individual distributors".

Click here for more information on the HIDTA Program.