Task force successful in first months of operation
HOPE – The 8th North Task Force, formed in March of 2018 from members of the Hope Police Department, Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office, Prescott Police Department and Nevada County Sheriff’s Office with guidance from the 8th North Prosecuting Attorney Christi McQueen, has been very successful in the fight against illegal drugs in the 8th North Judicial District which is comprised of Hempstead and Nevada Counties.
Captain Frank McJunkins of the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office was appointed to become the first Task Force Director and supervise officers (agents) from the four agencies involved. Sheriff James Singleton was elected as the first Chairman of the 8th North Board of Directors.
Several of the officers assigned to the task force have been given Federal Authority to assist in federal drug cases in the 8th North District.
The task force has accomplished the following Since January 1, 2019:
Opened 348 cases, served 35 search warrants, completed 35 parole and probation searches, conducted 38 phone searches, arrested 175 suspects on warrants, made 14 federal arrests, conducted 21 traffic stops, seized 67 firearms from drug suspects, seized 177 pills/opioids, seized 6,124 grams of marijuana, 1,582 grams of methamphetamine, seized 110 grams of cocaine, seized 91.8 grams of ecstasy, seized $21,885.79 in U.S. currency, seized 80 items of drug paraphernalia.
The task force hasa professional group of law enforcement officers assigned to this task force working every day to combat the illegal drugs in Hempstead and Nevada County.