Pubdate: Sun, 26 Jan 2003
Source: Arizona Republic (AZ)
Copyright: 2003 The Arizona Republic
Contact:  http://www.arizonarepublic.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Dennis Wagner

VALLEY POLICE CHIEFS TO OVERSEE DRUG WAR

Valley law enforcement leaders have moved to bolster their war against 
drugs by forming an executive board of police chiefs to oversee drug task 
forces.

"The Phoenix metro area needs help," said Errol Chavez, special agent in 
charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration here, after a recent meeting 
with some of Maricopa County's top peace officers. "There are different 
problems here than we see at the border."

Chavez said federal funds and programs have focused the attack on major 
cartels and high-level smuggling operations. But Phoenix continues to grow 
as a marketplace, attracting violent crime along with the methamphetamines, 
cocaine, marijuana and other drugs.

Chavez said top Valley law officers could build a more efficient campaign 
against drug venders, who don't care about city limits, by sharing manpower 
and resources.

"We have a local problem: the neighborhood dealers and the cell managers," 
he said. "We're going back to basics.  . . . I'm going to open the door to 
all the intelligence we have."

Law enforcement has a long-term legacy of failure in eliminating 
grass-roots drug sellers. However, Chavez said, the DEA has learned to 
succeed by working with other agencies and by targeting sales operations 
from the bottom up.

Chavez said he is importing a system that succeeded in San Diego County, 
where he served as DEA chief until his transfer to Arizona last year. He 
said the Valley already has 40 drug task-force members working on four 
teams, but he expects to beef up those operations with more officers, money 
and training.
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MAP posted-by: Beth