SEditor's note: This is the second of two articles submitted by the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office in advance of a conference HCSO is hosting in Winnemucca in mid-April on illegal drug interdiction and investigations.
WINNEMUCCA - In the last article we highlighted some of the different strategies utilized in the world of drug enforcement to combat the ever-present narcotics problem in the United States. In this article we will highlight the specific effectiveness of criminal interdiction here in Humboldt County.
In February of 2009, Sheriff Ed Kilgore accepted the gift of a golden lab named "Lilly" from the Elko Police Department. Lilly was then partnered up with Humboldt County Sheriff's deputy and veteran law enforcement officer Cory Allen. Lilly was a drug detection dog trained by her former Elko handler.
In April 2011, two more drug detection dogs were added to the Sheriff's Office, "Boots" and "Zyla." Boots was assigned to Sgt. Chris Aker and Zyla to Sgt. Lee Dove. All three canines and their handlers were designated as the Humboldt County Highway Interdiction Team or "HIT."
Since the establishment of this team, the seizures made by these highly trained law enforcement professionals are very impressive (amounts are approximates): Over 800 pounds of bulk marijuana; two pounds of methamphetamine; ½ ounce of heroin; three ounces of cocaine; miscellaneous illegal drugs in various amounts, including Ecstasy and prescription drugs; hundreds of pieces of drug paraphernalia; approximately $180,000 in cash (seized both by HIT and in conjunction with other assisting law enforcement agencies). Numerous vehicles have also been seized.
Members of our interdiction team, throughout the last couple of years, have also worked hand in hand with detectives assigned to the Tri- County drug task force, as well as troopers with the Nevada Highway Patrol.
As for training, the interdiction team continues to complete almost daily training with their respective partners as well as required canine recertifications.
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office also had the privilege of sponsoring a week-long drug interdiction school in November of 2010 where numerous investigators, troopers, deputies, and municipal police officers from Nevada and adjoining states attended and were immersed in the latest legal issues, searching techniques, and current drug enforcement trends.
And in April the same organization that conducted the week-long training in November 2010 will return to Winnemucca to present its first ever national conference. To date, 179 law enforcement officers from around the country are registered to attend this week-long convention and training symposium. Attendees are coming from law enforcement agencies in Alaska, Maryland, Florida, Vermont, New Mexico, California, Idaho, Washington, Arizona and Texas.
Releasing Authority:
Sheriff E.R. Kilgore
Release Written By:
Curtiss C. Kull Undersheriff
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