Alabama law enforcement is about to get a welcome boost in the fight against illicit drugs and drug-related crime.

Governor Kay Ivey announced Friday that the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency along with the state’s seven regional drug task forces will each be awarded a $200,000 grant. The individual grants are collectively worth $1.6 million.

“Illegal drugs are menaces that destroy lives, ruin families and lead to rampant crime,” Gov. Ivey said. “I commend these law enforcement officers for working to get this scourge off our streets and make our communities and neighborhoods safer.”

In 2022 alone, the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force worked in conjunction with federal and state law enforcement officers and other partners to make 653 drug related arrests involving 1,121 drug-related cases. The task force seized nearly 715,000 grams of marijuana, 183,994 grams of methamphetamine, 46,000 grams of cocaine/crack and 38,734 grams of heroin. More than $946,954 in currency related to drug crimes was also seized.

ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell praised members of the task forces as well.

“ADECA joins with Gov. Ivey in lauding these task forces and officers who are committed to taking drugs off the streets and arresting those who dare to profit from the tragedies they create.”

In addition to the $1.6 million for the regional task forces, Ivey also recently awarded more than $600,000 to help five police departments and sheriff’s offices purchase new equipment to improve public safety.

The task forces, founded in 2018, are made up of personnel from law enforcement agencies in each region. Each region consists of eight to twelve counties.

ALEA is in charge of the task force.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.