Task Force Commander, Drug Trafficking, West Virginia 2020

A high-ranking task force commander in West Virginia has been recognized for his outstanding work in combating drug trafficking in the region. The commander, a 12-year veteran of the Greater Harrison Drug Task Force and a 30-year veteran of the Bridgeport Police Department, was awarded the AHIDTA Outstanding Task Force Officer of the Year Award for 2020, in a ceremony held last week in Kentucky.

According to U.S. Attorney Bill Powell, who presented the award, ‘There isn’t a man more deserving of this award than this commander. I am extremely proud that he is in our district. He is single-minded in his efforts to protect the people of West Virginia. His dedication is legendary and we are lucky to have him.’

The commander was selected from 287 task force officers in AHIDTA, 110 different agencies in four states encompassing 93 counties. AHIDTA Executive Director Vic Brown praised the commander, saying, ‘Appalachia HIDTA is honored to be able to recognize this officer for his outstanding performance in drug law enforcement. Due to the efforts of this special officer, undoubtedly there are sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers who are alive today due to the efforts made by this hero.’

The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program is administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), which advises the President on drug control issues, coordinates drug-control activities and related funding across the Federal government, and produces the annual National Drug Control Strategy.

Appalachia HIDTA is an important component of the President’s National Drug Control Strategy, which provides additional federal resources to help eliminate or reduce drug trafficking and its harmful consequences. Law enforcement organizations within HIDTA assess drug trafficking problems and design specific initiatives to reduce or eliminate the production, manufacture, transportation, distribution, and chronic use of illegal drugs, as well as money laundering.

The commander’s dedication to his work is evident in his 12-year service to the Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, and his 30 years of service to the Bridgeport Police Department.

The AHIDTA Outstanding Task Force Officer of the Year Award is a prestigious honor, recognizing the outstanding work of law enforcement officers in the region.

Defendant: Greater Harrison Drug Task Force Commander

Criminal Charges: None, recipient of the AHIDTA Outstanding Task Force Officer of the Year Award

City and State: Clarksburg, West Virginia

Exact Date: 2020 (quarterly meeting in Kentucky)

Sentence or Outcome: Received the AHIDTA Outstanding Task Force Officer of the Year Award

Dollar Amounts: None

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Drug Trafficking

Manel Smith, Heroin Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2023

Aug 11, 2016

Drug Trafficking

Douglas Cochran, Cocaine Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2018

May 14, 2020

Drug Trafficking

Brian Ashby, Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy, West Virginia 2016

Feb 14, 2017

Drug Trafficking

Johnathan Damron, Distributing Hydromorphone, West Virginia 2017

Sep 5, 2018