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The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
A state agency is seeking over $3 million in funding to combat illegal drug shipments into Tennessee. The money would be used to hire additional agents.
Director David Rausch of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) says that drug cartels have pivoted since illegal immigration has slowed at the southern border.
In order to get drugs into the state, these illicit organizations have switched tactics and are using mail services to smuggle drugs. Rausch wants 13 more agents who would be trained to intercept these packages.
Rausch says that the neighboring state of Kentucky has a model that Tennessee could copy in stopping drugs from making their way into the state through mail carriers.
“It’s not the typical way we’ve seen in the past,” said Rausch, describing how drugs are making their way into the state. “What they are doing is exploiting USPS, FedEx, DHE, all of those carriers to move items into the state and what we need is to be able to interdict that.”
The funding request will be brought to lawmakers next year when the Tennessee General Assembly reconvenes.
Full video of the TBI presentation at the Tennessee budget hearing below:
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
The high cost of the war on drugs. IMHO those who buy drugs of the street are too stupid to live.