(LIMA, Ohio)—Attorney General Mike DeWine, Lima Police Chief Kevin Martin, and Allen County Sheriff Samuel Crish announced today an aggressive plan to try to stop the fast flow of heroin along I-75 through Allen County. Grant money from the Ohio Attorney General’s Safe Neighborhoods Initiative will fund two investigators for two years in both the Lima Police Department and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office.
“The heroin epidemic, unfortunately, continues to invade Lima, Allen County, and many other Ohio communities, cultivating drug use and prompting other crimes,” said Attorney General DeWine. “We hope this extra manpower in Lima and Allen County can help stop the constant cash and drug pipeline that rolls through that area on some major roadways in Ohio.”
The Lima Police Department will receive $272,192.16 and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office will receive $247,409.78.
“I’m excited about this grant, because I truly believe this will have a big impact in our county and even surrounding counties,” said Sheriff Crish. “We’re taking an aggressive approach. We are not going to allow the heroin epidemic to poison our community.”
“We’re not just attacking the crime of heroin trafficking, we’re going after the off-shoots of heroin: human trafficking crimes and money laundering as well,” said Chief Martin. “We are so fortunate to have this grant from Attorney General DeWine to give us resources that I know will make an impact.”
Law enforcement tactics that are being used in Lima and Allen County with this new heroin grant money have proven to be effective in other areas of the state with task forces under the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. In fiscal year 2014 Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC) task forces seized 46 pounds of heroin worth a street value of more than $2 million dollars.
In August, Lucas County received a $650,000 grant to fund a pilot program that will utilize partnerships and resources throughout the area to assist those suffering from a heroin addiction. Based on the effectiveness of the program, a list of best practices will be established for other communities around Ohio.
Based on statistics collected from county coroners in Ohio, approximately 17 people died every week from a heroin overdose in 2013.
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Media Contacts:
Lisa Hackley: 614-466-3840
Eve Mueller: 614-466-3840