Local Sheriffs re-organize ES Drug Task Force

By Linda Cicoira

When the Eastern Shore Drug Task Force was disbanded recently, the local fight on drugs didn’t stop, top officials said Tuesday.

Northampton Sheriff David Doughty and Accomack Sheriff Todd Wessells said in a prepared statement that their offices created two new units to better serve the respective communities. The Northampton team is the Crime Suppression Unit (CSU). In Accomack, the squad was named Criminal Impact Unit (CIU).

Both were separately created to replace the task force and to adapt to changing demands, the officials said. The State Police will not oversee the new units as it did in the previous task force. But that agency has assigned officers to assist and support the efforts.

“The sheriff’s offices and the state police remain fully committed to combating illegal drug activity and protecting public safety,” the notice stated. “This adjustment allows each agency to allocate personnel and resources better while still maintaining the same shared commitment to addressing drug-related crime in our communities.”

The Eastern Shore Drug Task Force was established in 1988 to confront the crack cocaine epidemic that was plaguing Northampton and Accomack Counties. The specialized unit concentrated on mid to upper-level dealers and quickly began impacting the drug trade on the Eastern Shore. Over time, the task force evolved. It became more active in other aspects of investigating criminal activity, while continuing to be diligently focused on the illegal drug trade.

“The unit grew into an advantageous source of intelligence and became a liaison between federal, state, and local authorities,” officials agreed. “The unit assisted with investigations in both counties and shared received intelligence with all law enforcement. Working relationships were built throughout the Eastern Shore’s law enforcement community.”

Investigations and demands of both counties have changed since 1988, the notice disclosed. Both counties have seen an influx in violent activity as gangs and firearm-related crimes have become increasingly prevalent. The decision to disband the task force was made “after careful review of resources and priorities. Each of the participating agencies (the sheriff’s offices and the state police) remains fully committed to combating illegal drug activity and protecting public safety.”

Both of the new agencies will continue to investigate drug crimes.  Additionally, CSU and CIU will work on gang-related criminal activity and assist with investigations of violent crimes. CSU and CIU will support one another, heavily relying on communication and their previously established working relationship.

“Targeted areas are identified based on crime analysis, including calls for service, intelligence gathering, as well as tips and complaints from the community,” the statement noted. “Once an area has been identified as a high crime activity area, CSU and CIU will proactively conduct law enforcement efforts to minimize criminal activity.”