Drug Enforcement - A Vision For The Future

By Vincent R. Earland, Sr.

As a candidate for Sheriff of Monterey County, I'm convinced that a reliance on state and federal grant funding to combat the local drug problem is woefully insufficient. In addition to redirecting more localized funding towards narcotic enforcement efforts, I would advocate the creation of a localized task force, employing law enforcement officers from various local, state and federal agencies to address the drug problem countywide.

As a candidate for Sheriff of Monterey County, I'm convinced that a reliance on state and federal grant funding to combat the local drug problem is woefully insufficient. In addition to redirecting more localized funding towards narcotic enforcement efforts, I would advocate the creation of a localized task force, employing law enforcement officers from various local, state and federal agencies to address the drug problem countywide. Similar task forces currently exist in both Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties operating under the direction of The California Department of Justice. Working with the law enforcement administrators in each of these counties, I would also seek to develop a Joint Powers Agreement to combat the illegal drugs on a regional platform. This would serve as a "force multiplier" for law enforcement and substantially increase the risks of detection to narcotics dealers in each county.

I believe that the Monterey County Sheriff's Office should exhaust every opportunity to identify these controlled substance dealers, growers and manufacturers as soon as possible, so that they may be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This remains as one of my highest priorities.

Current Enforcement Efforts The Sheriff's Office is the primary agency responsible for the investigation of drug related crimes occurring in the unincorporated areas of Monterey County. Current efforts include:

• Narcotics Enforcement Unit Of Monterey County (NEUCOM), a federally grant funded collaborative unit consisting of a Detective, Deputy Probation Officer, Deputy District Attorney and a Legal Secretary. Grant funding for these positions has continued for sixteen (16) years.

• County Of Monterey Marijuana Eradication Team (COMMET), a state grant-funded collaborative unit consisting of two deputies and a part-time Deputy District Attorney. Grant funding for these positions has continued for thirteen (13) years, although the current funding for FY 2005/2006 amounts to only 75% of the total costs. The grant is presently augmented with state asset forfeiture income. COMMET also has about $15,000.00 provided by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration as part of a domestic marijuana suppression program and the U.S. Forest Service has contributed $5,000.00 for investigation and eradication of marijuana found in the Los Padres National Forrest.

• The sheriff's Office has one detective assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration, San Jose Regional Office, as part of a multi-agency task force situated in San Jose.

• The Sheriff's Office also has one commander, one sergeant and two detectives assigned to the division.

Marijuana is grown throughout the county outdoors during the early summer with harvesting in the fall. It is also grown indoors year round. Marijuana is considered the second most significant drug-related problem within the county. It has been found growing on both private and public lands. Large commercial grow sites have been found on public land under the control U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management. Growers shot at Sheriff's deputies outside Salinas two years ago.

Cocaine, black-tar heroin and prescription fraud/diversion continues to maintain a presence in the local market.

Uncertain Priorities The current administration cites "drugs" as a priority, yet enforcement efforts are largely limited to the state or federal grant funding. In February 2006 the CAO declined to endorse the department's request for a budget augmentation of $119,000.00 for NEUCOM to remain in existence for the rest of the fiscal year.