(FLORENCE, WI.)–According to Florence County Sheriff, Jeff Rickaby, that Office recently hosted a High Visibility Drug Interdiction effort in Florence County. “The effort brings agencies from our region together to conduct traffic related traffic stops to locate drug suspects and drugs being carried in vehicles. Officers are also looking for impaired drivers focusing on drug impaired driving. The effort resulted in three custodial arrest, one male suspect and two female suspects involving possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia,” Two high speed chases occurred during the effort. Both chases involved motorcycles and both chases were terminated by officers due to the dangerous nature of driving by the motorcyclists. One was traveling at an estimated 142-miles per hour while the second was over 102-miles per hour. Neither operator was apprehended. Sheriff Rickaby added, “Families should be alert to the facts surrounding methamphetamines and the side effects which are often obvious. The effects of chronic methamphetamine use often manifest themselves as sudden and dramatic weight loss, the appearance of of meth scabs on an individual’s face, arms and decaying teeth. Users often stay awake for several days then crash sleeping for extended periods of time. The persons appearance is one of aging rapidly due to the harsh chemicals used to produce this highly addictive drug.” A recent insurance study revealed an increase of opioid disorders which has surged nearly 500% in the past seven years. Heroin and prescription pain killers were part of the study. Rickaby said, “The Centers for Disease Control reported no change in the amount of pain reported by Americans, yet prescriptions for opioid drugs have increased four fold since 1999. During the same time deaths from opioid drugs have also quadrupled. The interdiction effort involves a multicounty task force of law enforcement agencies from Florence, Forest, Marinette, Oconto Counties plus the Wisconsin State Patrol. The effort brought 17-officers from the various agencies in the region together, consisting of officers with advanced levels of training in drug detection including several Drug Recognition Experts and K-9 Units. A portion of the cost of these activities are covered through grant money the task force has obtained.” The K-9 units are used on many of the traffic stops if the officer has a reason to stop the driver, which includes traffic violations. A K-9 is allowed if waiting for the K-9 does not extend the length of the stop beyond its normal duration. “This is one reason several K-9 units are an important part of the task force groups,” Rickaby added. Florence County Sheriff, Jeff Rickaby, finalized by saying, “The group works on these types of events and other investigative matters to target illegal drugs in the area; People should expect to see more of these efforts due to the increase in illegal drugs in our area. We have seen a significant increase in methamphetamines an heroin in our area; the increase is partially the result of organized drug dealers coming to our area.” Rickaby said, “Our response is to increase enforcement efforts to combat the influx of drug activity. Interdiction is one of the t ools used by the task force along with other less obvious investigative techniques.”
(Aaron Harper,WJNR,WOBE,WHTO)
aaronharper22@gmail.com