Multi-jurisdictional support ensures operations will continue
information released; photo above shows drugs/cash confiscated from earlier CRDTF bust
This week, the Chelan County Board of County Commissioners approved funding to help maintain operations of the Columbia River Drug Task Force. In partnership with the City of Wenatchee, the City of East Wenatchee, and Douglas County, all four entities agreed to temporarily support the task force using Opioid Abatement funds. These funds are part of a nationwide legal settlement with opioid manufacturers and were distributed to cities, counties, and states across the country.
This funding became necessary following the loss of Byrne-JAG grant support distributed by the Washington State Chamber of Commerce, which had funded the task force for many years. The Department of Commerce receives these federal grant dollars to support law enforcement, courts, corrections, drug treatment, and crime prevention programs. In 2024, the Department of Commerce chose to discontinue funding for all Washington State drug task forces and redirect those resources toward other non-law-enforcement programs.
The Columbia River Drug Task Force continues to play a critical role in protecting our communities. Last year alone, the task force arrested 88 individuals, including 25 identified gang members. Officers seized 1,616 grams of methamphetamine, 114 grams of cocaine, 1,555 fentanyl pills, and 869 grams of fentanyl powder. In addition, investigators seized $112,685 in cash, six vehicles, and six firearms, while serving 50 search warrants. Without the work of the CRDTF, these dangerous drugs and those distributing them would have remained active in our communities.
Sheriff Morrison and the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office are grateful that our local government recognizes the importance of maintaining our task force, and we encourage the State of Washington to re-commit to supporting these efforts as well.
