LAKEPORT >> The county Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an agreement between the Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), the U.S. Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration Oakland Task Force Group Tuesday.
The cooperative effort will seek to increase efficiency as law enforcement deals with drug trafficking.
“The nature of the activity is two-fold,” Lake County interim undersheriff Chris Macedo said. “It is to address large scale marijuana cultivation in Lake County and large scale drug use.”
According to the contract, the Oakland Task Force Group will disrupt drug traffic Alameda County, gather and report intelligence data related to drug trafficking, as well as conduct undercover operations.
In order to assist the Oakland Task Force Group to accomplish these goals, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has agreed to assign an experienced officer to the group for at least two years.
This will speed communication and shared information without adding to the county’s costs.
According to a memorandum provided to the board by Sheriff Brian Martin, “all expenses, including salaries and benefits, vehicle costs and all miscellaneous expenses are paid for by the Sheriff/Coroner budget with county general funds.”
However, any overtime costs or training specifically approved by the task force for DEA operations may be reimbursed up to $17,548, which is inclusive of any other federal overtime reimbursements.
In previous years, an investigator and a sergeant were assigned to the task force. Since only an investigator is included in the new agreement, the sergeant has been reassigned, the memorandum states.
The agreement between the agencies will end on Sept. 29 of 2016
No members of the public offered comment before the board approved the agreement with a 5-0 vote.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022
