THE MANCHIN REPORT: State’s War on Drugs Producing Results, Moving to Next Level
By Joe ManchinGovernor of West Virginia
Charleston, WV (HNN) -- When I began my term as Governor in January, 2005, I immediately began working with the members of our law enforcement community to target illegal drugs and enhance our drug eradication efforts. This week, I was pleased to join the West Virginia State Police in announcing the results of our initial phase of this crackdown on illegal drugs in our state.
During the past 18 months, as a result of our renewed commitment to eliminate illegal drug traffic in West Virginia, we have taken more than $5.7 million in illegal drugs out of our state’s communities and off of our streets! As the numbers clearly indicate, the ongoing efforts by the West Virginia State Police and their partners on the federal, state and local level are producing significant results.
Recently during a news conference at West Virginia State Police headquarters in South Charleston, I had the opportunity to speak with some of our officers working on the frontline in this effort and to see actual physical evidence that perhaps best provides a snapshot of the many challenges that our law enforcement officers are encountering everyday in West Virginia’s communities.
West Virginia State Police Superintendent Col. David Lemmon, our Troopers and investigators displayed nearly $1 million in drugs and weapons seized during recent raids. Two of the drug seizures showcased were the result of single raids -- a 6.5 lb. package of methamphetamine and approximately five kilo quantity of cocaine -- and carry an estimated street value of more than $780,000.
With the beginning of the new fiscal year this week, the West Virginia State Police will move forward with the next phase in its statewide crackdown on illegal drugs as my $1 million budget commitment kicks in to assist the State Police in its efforts to crack down on our state’s drug trade. These funds will be used for the equipment, manpower and education necessary for our Troopers to partner with local law enforcement and federal officials to bring a stop to this growing problem.
Too many times in the past several months, we’ve turned on the news only to hear about the senseless death of one of our own as a result of drug-related violence. In addition, too many of our young have succumbed to the evils of these drugs.
The members of the West Virginia State Police, teaming with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local level, are doing outstanding work everyday to remove the plague of illegal drugs from our streets. I will continue to allocate the necessary resources to ensure illegal drug manufacturers and users are put on notice that this state won’t stand idly by while they destroy more communities and families.