Drug Task Force shutting down

JACKSBORO, TN. (WLAF)- The Eighth Judicial Drug Task force will cease operations as of yesterday.

At one time, it was the organization tasked with investigating and arresting those trafficking in narcotics across Campbell, Claiborne, Scott, Union and Fentress counties. After a conviction was obtained, the DTF could seize items believed to be purchased with offenders’ ill- gotten gains.

Over time that has been harder to do, according to Jarred Effler, district attorney general for the eighth judicial district.

Last week, Effler said the DTF was shutting down operations due to a lack of funds.

A “modest grant” combined with seizures of money, vehicles, firearms and other property was the only funding source for the task force.  These funding sources do not equate to enough revenue for DTF to continue operations, according to Effler.

For some, a lack of funding is in juxtaposition to the claim that East Tennessee is suffering the effects of an illegal opioid epidemic. At one point Effler had filed suit against pharmaceutical companies for flooding the market with their drugs only to see the suit later dismissed.  Last week, Effler noted that Methamphetamine was the “most prevalent drug in our state, not opioids.” Those suffering from meth addiction often don’t have assets “subject to forfeiture,” he said.

Contributing to the challenges of seizing drug assets has been a change in state law. New laws passed over recent years have posed challenges in seizing property, he said. He didn’t specifically state what those changes were.

Effler further mentioned the pandemic as a contributing factor to DTF funding issues.

Courts have been operating via Zoom for over a year, with the exception of jury trials, which have been delayed. Matters such as guilty pleas have continued.

If a narcotics case resolves in a plea agreement versus a trial, the defendant can face court costs, fines and forfeitures. With a trial, those are not guaranteed consequences.

The pandemic coupled with the halting of trials has removed the possibility of “immediate consequences,” according to Effler. This has led to a backlog of unresolved cases, which takes the forfeiture of items off the table, he said.

An audit earlier this year revealed the financial issues plaguing the DTF. It was “operating beyond its fiscal means,” Effler said.

The closing of the DTF means two people, an agent and coordinator, will be terminated. While the agency’s last day was March 31, closing out the fiscal portion of the agency will take longer, according to Effler. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 04/01/2021- 6AM)