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Release [print
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on the Drug Warpath As host to one of only three Oklahoma offices of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, McAlester and surrounding towns reap the rewards with free help cleaning up illegal dope labs, training for local police and now, a brand new building that serves as the drug war headquarters for eastern Oklahoma. The new three-story resident office building of the DEA was occupied in February, although two-thirds of the red brick structure at the McAlester Airport remain empty. “We plan on filling it up,” Resident Agent in Charge Kevin Wilson said of the DEA headquarters. “We hope to be a central location for drug enforcement in eastern Oklahoma. “It was built with a 20-year plan in mind. It’s a long term building.” Already, the structure has been opened up to other police agencies for drug raid planning sessions. Recently, for instance, Wilson said about 50 officers met there before embarking on a mission. And just last week, a smaller contingent of local police also departed from there on a similar mission. The building is preferred because of its high security, a large underground parking garage and huge conference rooms big enough to accommodate large groups. “We have the facility and the space, and we want to use it,” Wilson said. The DEA official won’t say how many agents are assigned to the McAlester office, but notes the number often changes. That’s because local police are sometimes “deputized” to become sworn agents of the DEA, with federal jurisdiction to help them a local police case. For instance, alocal deputy sheriff could become deputized before traveling to California to interview a witness in a local case. As a “deputized” DEA agent, the deputy wouldn’t have to worry about being out of his jurisdiction. And, Wilson said, the DEA picks up the tab for his travel. “We can help an agency further an investigation that might be outside the means of their budget,” Wilson explained. In addition to helping local agents solve big drug cases, the agency also foots the bill for cleaning up illegal drug labs. At an average cost of $3,500 each, cleaning up one or two drug labs could deplete the budget of a smaller police department. “We cover the cost,” Wilson said. And while local police agencies are reaping the rewards of having the DEA in their back yard, the DEA also fares well from the arrangement. “These guys are experts in state drug laws,” Wilson said of local police officers who work with the DEA office. “And we bring the expertise of federal drug laws. “It works well for both agencies.” Another far-reaching aid in the war on drugs has been the federally-funded training provided through DEA for police officers and deputies throughout the county. “Tens of thousands of dollars of training have been provided for local officers,” Wilson said. Two-week training sessions include tactical assault and drug lab schools at Quantico, Va., and lessons on how to properly seize private property as illegal drug proceeds for forfeiture to the government. The training funding covered includes the cost of the school, all expenses during the trip — from the time the officer boards a plane in Dallas or Tulsa until they return — and about $2,000 in equipment provided to each student. According to Wilson, such training is beneficial not only to the home agency of the officer, but also to the DEA because it furthers the federal government’s pool of officers trained in drug enforcement. “We try to make sure as many go as possible.” The agency covers 26 counties in eastern Oklahoma, and already, six or seven officers from Pittsburg County have been formally trained at the feet DEA teachers. Methamphetamine remains “the drug of choice” for most illegal drug users, according to officers, while marijuana has taken a back seat to crack cocaine, which represents about 20 percent of local illegal drug use, compared to marijuana at 5 percent and meth at 70 percent. Other drugs make up about 5 percent altogether, Wilson said, including popular “club drugs” like Ecstasy, GHB and Ketamine. LSD is also making a comeback on the club scene, officers say. “The club drugs are not as prevalent here — I haven’t seen them —but I know it’s out there,” Wilson said. Much of what the DEA does includes “demand reduction,” including education at schools and civic organizations about what illegal drugs look like, what they do and the long-term damage that could result from abuse. Presentations include full-color brochures which help detail the costs of illegal drug use, both to people and pocketbooks. The agency is also in demand for education at fire departments and utility companies where employees are on the street and want to be able to recognize and avoid illegal drug labs. “It’s a safety issue for them,” Wilson said. Mostly, the DEA in
McAlester serves to help others in the reduction of illegal drug manufacturing,
trafficking and use. “I don’t want to sound corny, but we’re
here to help,” Wilson said. “A large part of what we do is assisting
other agencies.” |
