May 11th, 2018 by WCBC Radio
For their work and dedication to fighting the drug epidemic in Allegany County, the Allegany County Narcotics Task Force was recognized by Colonel William M. Pallozi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police, and received a Unit Citation. The Allegany County Narcotics Task Force, consisting of the Maryland State Police, Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and Cumberland City Police Department conducted 356 drug related investigations during 2017. Drug trafficking organizations spanning from Baltimore to Cumberland were identified and dismantled.
Allegany County has seen one of the state’s highest rates of overdoses for opioid use. The Allegany County Narcotics Task Force has worked aggressively to combat the epidemic. The Allegany County Narcotics Task Force worked closely with the Allegany County States Attorney’s Office and local law enforcement to identify and dismantle drug trafficking organizations which were responsible for overdoses. As a result, In 2017 Allegany County saw a decrease of 23.4% for fatal overdoses and 22% in non-fatal overdoses. Allegany County was one of only two counties in the state to see a decrease in fatal and non-fatal overdoses.
In 2017, the Allegany County Narcotics Task Force executed 81 search and seizure warrants resulting in the arrest of 143 individuals for drug related offenses. Of those 143 arrests, 135 were felony crimes. The Allegany County Narcotics Task Force seized 737 grams of heroin, having a street value of approximately $147,000, 681 grams of cocaine with a street value of $61,000, 485 grams of crack cocaine with a street value of $49,000 and 828 opioid prescription pills. A total of 33 firearms were taken off the streets from violent drug dealers. Additionally, 65 individuals were indicted by an Allegany County Grand Jury for drug offenses.
Sheriff Craig Robertson commented on the work of the Allegany County Narcotics Task Force. " I am honored to have my office as part of this hard working group of law enforcement officers. The partnership that we have with our allied agencies is nothing but phenomenal."
In early 2017 the Allegany County Narcotics Task Force initiated an investigation which identified a major drug trafficker operating in Allegany County. The trafficker was attributed to an increase in opiate-related overdoses due to the distribution of fentanyl in, and around, Allegany County. During the 12-month investigation, investigators seized approximately 107 grams of fentanyl/heroin. The individual was indicted by an Allegany County Grand Jury and ultimately plead guilty to multiple charges and was sentenced to 20 years’ incarceration in the Maryland Department of Corrections. This investigation, and ultimate arrest and conviction, has undoubtedly saved countless lives in the state of Maryland, most notably, in Allegany County, Maryland. After the initial arrest, Allegany County had a 59% decrease in heroin/fentanyl overdoses over the following two-month time frame.
In August, 2017 the Allegany County Narcotics Task Force concluded an investigation that resulted in the seizure of 38 grams of heroin, 202 prescription opioid pills and nine firearms. As a result, the suspect was charged and convicted and was sentenced to 20 years’ incarceration in the Department of Correction.
The Allegany County Narcotics Task Force will continue their effort in Allegany County to dismantle these drug trafficking organizations in their ongoing fight against the drug epidemic in Allegany County and the state of Maryland.
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