More money sought for regional narcotics task force

The Sheriff's Department is seeking extra money from Carson City to continue paying its share of expenses for a regional narcotics law enforcement network.

Another $13,567 is needed to fully fund the city's share of the TriNET narcotics task force.

The Board of Supervisors, which meets Thursday, is being asked to allow for the expense. Doing so would bring the local share to the same level as last year, said Sheriff Kenny Furlong.

"TriNET is an integral part of drug enforcement in the region," Furlong said of the network. "Drug crimes don't follow geographic boundaries."

Carson's full share would be $220,659. The federal government will provide $121,109 for the program; the city planned to contribute $85,983 when it was putting together its spending plan for the grant. The eventual federal award, however, came up short - by the $13,567 being sought.

"We've been expecting the federal amounts to decrease," Furlong said. "That's the nature of grants."

Carson City, Douglas and Lyon counties, and the Nevada Department of Public Safety comprise TriNET, which was established in 1988.

The city has two detectives, and Lyon and Douglas Counties each have one investigator involved with the network. It serves a total population of more than 152,000 residents and what is described as a "large, transient tourist population," according to the grant application.

The Nevada Department of Public Safety provides a lieutenant and sergeant, two detectives and two clerical workers.

Storey County no longer has a detective involved with the network.

Use and sales of cocaine is on the rise in the area. The most prevalent illegal drug in the region, however, continues to be meth, and TriNet puts a lot of effort into stopping mid- to upper-level dealers of it.

Some people have a misconception about TriNET and what it does because "you don't see or hear about it," he said.

While TriNet makes headline-grabbing arrests, and drugs and weapons seizures, the real benefit of the group to the community is the cooperation among member agencies, Furlong said.

It focuses on drug trafficking, manufacturing, sales and distribution of illegal drugs. Stated goals include opening 100 cases - 75 percent of them for serious drug offenses - and apprehending 120 offenders each year.

Partnership Carson City, a local anti-meth coalition, endorses the network's efforts. But it isn't affiliated with TriNet, nor does it provide it any financing, Furlong said.

Slowing down, and eventually abating, meth use has been a stated goal of the supervisors for the past two years.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

If you go

What: Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting

When: 8:30 a.m. Thursday

Where: Sierra Room, Community Center, 851 E. William St.