DEA announces new heroin enforcement team for LI
Friday, October 27, 2017 12:35 PM EDT
Friday, October 27, 2017 5:28 PM EDT
HAUPPAUGE -
The Drug Enforcement Administration announced today that it will station a new heroin enforcement team on Long Island.
The Island is just one of six locations across the country getting this special team, and that's because the area is considered a major heroin shipping and distribution point.
The DEA says the team will consist of four of its agents and four officers from existing tasks forces who will focus on fighting heroin and fentanyl trafficking.
"The fact that we are marshaling law enforcement federally is certainly a step in the right direction," says Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, CEO of the Family & Children's Association. "Now let's make sure that we are marshaling the funds to get people into treatment and support them in their journey to recovery."
As News 12 has reported, officials say nearly 500 people here on Long Island died from opioid overdoses last year alone.
The DEA says it chose the locations based on deadly overdose rates, the amounts of heroin and fentanyl being seized and where more enforcement may make the biggest impact.