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Investigations continued to show fewer instances of drug activity reaching felony distribution levels, DTF Administrator William Gray reported to the task force Board of Directors Monday. Decreases were reflected in the number of criminal investigations, undercover buys, searches conducted, and arrests made.

While marijuana continues to be the drug most abused in the county, the amount of processed marijuana and plants seized has decreased significantly.

"Although we can make no claim that drug activity has been eliminated, the level of drug activity has certainly been reduced from levels experienced in the mid to late 1990's." Gray said in the report. "This can only be viewed as a major success in our ultimate goal of "preventing" drug trafficking within our county's borders."

The report says 143 criminal investigations were opened in 2006; the fourth lowest number in 14 years and a 30% decrease from the five year average of 204 criminal investigations opened annually.

This decrease may be a response to the previous three year escalation in criminal complaints, Gray said. He did note, however, that the number of "significant instances" was consistent with the average.

A total of 73 people were arrested and charged on primary or secondary drug charges in 2006, a 33% decrease below the 13-year average of 108 total arrests annually.

The number of undercover buys and searches conducted also decreased last year, by 26% and 28% respectively.

"Drug amounts have been generally suppressed within the county and most street level dealers are not storing substantial amounts of drugs in county for any substantial amount of time," the report reads.

A total of 159 tips were received on people suspected of drug trafficking involvement last year. This number decreased by 58% over the prior five year average of 377 tips generated annually. Gray attributes this decrease to reduced sheriff department and Michigan State Police patrols. He says officers who view suspicious behavior during traffic stops usually generate the majority of tips.

The report also summarizes the number of arrests made in each township, city, and village last year, with the largest number of arrests coming from Lexington and Worth Townships. Gray says those figures are relatively consistent with population. The larger the population, the larger amount of drug activity.

Marijuana

A total of 172 marijuana plants were seized from 14 grow operations in 2006, with total plant numbers down 50% from the five year average of 342 plants seized annually.

While the number of incidents is fairly average, the amount of marijuana grown has decreased drastically, Gray said.

There was also 3,411 grams of processed marijuana seized in the county last year, which reflects a 44% decrease from the five year average.

"We this as a continuing trend," Gray told the board. "Marijuana is the most readily available drug for sale, but people are holding it in smaller quantities."

The report reads, "The reason for this reduction is best theorized as our increased police presence, increased arrests and successful prosecutions on those grow operations that are discovered and the long-term success of the helicopter fly-over program."

Cocaine, heroin, and meth

Hard drugs were seized in a total of 34 incidents last year. The number of incidents is an increase over previous years but with one exception, the amounts are still relatively small.

A total of 327 grams of cocaine were seized in 29 incidents during 2006. That number reflects a 129% increase above the prior five year average of 143 grams seized annually. That percentage is slightly misleading however, as 250 grams were seized during just one incident. During that incident, investigators discovered cocaine being brought into Sanilac County from a major Detroit distributor.

The remaining 28 incidents in 2006 represent the seizure of personal use amounts.

Less than one gram of heroin was seized during five busts in 2006, with an average amount of less than 0.2 grams found during each incident. The DTF believes there were three heroin overdose deaths in the county last year, but all were long time drug abusers.

Just one incident involving methamphetamines was investigated last year and did not lead to criminal charges.

"We saw an increase in incidents of hard drugs, but the amounts were still relatively small," Gray said. "It is always a concern when a potential market is being developed. But most hard drugs are still coming from Detroit."

Ecstasy

A total of 92 tabs of ecstasy were seized during 2006, which is a 130% increase over the five year average. Just four tabs were were seized in the two previous years and none in 2003. However, the number is still relatively small compared to larger amounts seized in the mid 1990's.

"LSD, ecstasyÉand most Ôrave' party drugs continue to be a relative rarity in Sanilac County," the report states. "Although these drugs are widely talked about in our young-adult drug community, they remain documented in only a small number of cases."

The report concludes that the Drug Task Force, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, is encouraged by the declining numbers of drug related arrests.

"Local drug trafficking sales and use activity has been successfully reduced from the late 1980's and early 1990's levels when our Drug Task Force efforts began in earnest," Gray says in the report. "I believe we have been successful in reversing the illicit drug use trends being experienced in similar rural areas of Michigan."