Credit: Sgt. Hunter Helis/U.S. Marine Corps
Bucks County has been designated a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
The designation was announced Tuesday as part of a program administered by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Advertisements
County law enforcement will receive access to additional resources for dismantling drug trafficking organizations and to create and coordinate initiatives through federal, state and local authorities. The designation also means local agencies can benefit from programs through the HIDTA.
Bucks County was among 13 counties added to the program that was created through a 1988 act of Congress. President Donald Trump established a new HIDTA in 2018, according to the White House.
“I am incredibly grateful Bucks County has received the HIDTA designation,” said Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub. “This will serve as a force multiplier of funding, technology and manpower in our focus against the scourge of illegal drugs plaguing our community.”
Advertisements
Weintraub sought the designation to help boost Bucks County’s “multi-pronged approach to addressing the drug crisis.”
“The proven success of our HIDTA program is a direct result of the hard work of those on the front lines of this fight, and the invaluable partnerships they’ve formed with law enforcement groups across the Nation. From day one, the Trump Administration has strongly supported the men and women dedicated to stopping deadly drugs from flowing into our communities, and we’re renewing that commitment once again today. By expanding our HIDTA program to these critical areas, we are providing more resources to help achieve our mission of keeping more of our family members, friends, and neighbors safe.” White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Jim Carroll said in a statement.
Advertisements
Bucks County will join the program’s Liberty Mid-Atlantic HIDTA region.
“We are excited to have Bucks County become part of the Liberty Mid-Atlantic HIDTA and become full partners in the region’s battle against drug trafficking organizations” said Liberty Mid-Atlantic HIDTA Executive Director Jeremiah Daley. “Forging stronger operational ties, facilitating increased information-sharing and maximizing available resources among the law enforcement agencies in the lower Delaware Valley are essential parts of the HIDTA program, and will assist in reducing the deadly toll taken by the distribution of illegal substances in our communities.”
The district attorney thanked Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey for their support in the application process. U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania William McSwain and Pennsylvania First Deputy Attorney General Michelle Henry wrote letters of support. Weintraub also acknowledged Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.
Advertisements
