HUNT unit commander urges local government to support team

D/Lt. Rick Schultz, unit commander for the Huron Undercover Narcotics Team, said his drug fighting team has accepted the challenge of combating the trafficking of drugs in the area and wants governmental entities in the four county area to do the same. ?We must exercise our responsibility,? Schultz said, standing at the podium in council chambers at city hall in Rogers City, March 1. ?That responsibility extends just not with the Huron Undercover Narcotics team, but also extends to governmental community leaders, such as yourself,? Schultz told council members.

HUNT recently released its annual report for 2003, which is a summary of its activity in Presque Isle, Alcona, Alpena, and Montmorency counties. Schultz was on hand to present the information and answer questions. Schultz also was on the agenda for Wednesday?s (yesterday?s) Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners. His appearance in Rogers City comes before the city starts crunching the numbers for the 2004-05 budget.

?I KNOW THINGS are lean, but we cannot afford any crack,? said Schultz of allowing dealers room to operate. The city has done its part over the last year, providing an officer to HUNT. This, according to police chief Matt Quaine, brings immeasurable benefits to not only the city, but the county as well. The county contributes $21,675 of the $608,076 of total funding. Krakow, Posen, Moltke, Presque Isle, and Ocqueoc townships also make contributions. In 2003, the team?s narcotic investigations were up almost 28 percent from 2002.

The team initiated 103 narcotics-related complaints during the year, resulting in the seizure of $86,000 worth of narcotics, as well as 22 firearms. Alpena had the most investigations with 69, while Presque Isle County was next with 17, followed by Alcona (10) and Montmorency (five). Of the 90 people HUNT arrested, the report states, 36 had previous criminal histories and 22 had previously been arrested by HUNT. About 16 were sentenced to state or federal prison.

SCHULTZ SAID investigations in 2004 are up 100 percent compared to last year. ?I anticipate with the activity that we are now conducting, and what we?ve been able to dig up through our intelligence information, that we are probably going to surpass our total numbers this coming year, compared to last year,? Schultz said. Historically, the primary investigation involved the sale/manufacturing of marijuana. In 2003, roughly the total number of narcotic investigations and arrest counts were split 50-50 between marijuana offenses and other narcotics, which encompassed heroin, cocaine, methadone, oxycodone, and other narcotics.

In January 2003, HUNT made its first controlled purchase of heroin purchase in the area, and last week a suspected cocaine dealer was arrested in Presque Isle County. The 45-year-old Millersburg man was taken into custody February 29 on a charge of possessing 50 grams of cocaine. The arrest occurred after a shipment of more than nine ounce of cocaine and four pounds of processed marijuana was intercepted. Schultz believes the drugs were intended for distribution in Presque Isle County. ?TODAY THERE would be some cocaine for sale in Rogers City, except that the gentleman who is expecting his shipment of cocaine wasn?t able to get it because Lt. Schultz and his team…successfully busted a shipment,? said Presque Isle County prosecutor Don McLennan, who serves as HUNT?s legal advisor

. ?Our mission is to protect the community, safeguard our children and provide a safe environment on our streets, in our homes, in the schools, and in our businesses,? Schultz said.

?You and I know that there is not an alternative, no easy solution, and no quick fix. Rather than surrender, which will further reduce our quality of life here, we must exercise our responsibility,? Schultz said. ?These challenges can only be accomplished with the commitment and support of the community and governmental representatives that we serve.? Schultz said he looked forward to working with council this coming budget year.

?We in law enforcement are just so appreciative of the support that the city has given,? said McLennan. ?We hope you will be an inspiration for other municipalities as well.?

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