Ohio: MAN Unit seized more than $3M in illegal drugs in 2006
Illegal drugs with a street value of more than $3 million were seized and 181 individuals were arrested by the Multi-Area Narcotics Task Force (MAN Unit) in 2006.
Part of the Ohio Task Force Commanders Association, undercover officers working in Defiance, Fulton, Putnam and Williams counties seized 1,886 marijuana plants and 65.18 pounds of marijuana with a combined street value of $2,926.770. These numbers were up sharply compared to 43.89 pounds and 897 plants with a combined street value of $1,411,335 confiscated in 2005.
Though marijuana accounted for most of the drugs seized, Major Doug Engel, MAN Unit commander, said, "Methamphetamine continues to be our most problematic drug and mushrooms/psilocybin is coming back strong."
Confiscated were 51.01 grams of meth with a street value of $5,100. "These numbers stayed pretty steady with 2005," said Engel, when 53.72 grams were confiscated with a street value of $5,400.
The number of meth labs busted in 2006 was seven, down from 15 in 2005.
"Manpower is one issue we are facing," said Engel. "Also, these labs are improving greatly. They can cook a batch in anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours and be gone. Their mobility is great."
After using meth one time, the user is addicted because of the unusually high amounts of dopamine released in the brain when meth is administered, Engel explained.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, "The drug literally changes the brain in fundamental and long-lasting ways. This change in the brain is the problem with methamphetamine addiction -- not physical dependence or the withdrawal symptoms one acquires after one stops taking a drug -- and it is a very dramatic and more long-lasting change."
"Less than 2 percent of (meth) addicted people can be recovered," said Engel. "All drugs are bad, but meth concerns me the most as being most harmful to the community. People using meth become so addictive, very unpredictable. They become paranoid and experience mood changes. They become harmful to themselves and the people around them."
Another concern is meth houses. Currently, there is no law stating how clean a meth house must be before renting or selling to a different occupant. Authorities say the chemicals get into the carpet and walls and after a long term, residents of such a home can experience respiratory problems.
"We remove the active lab and the chemicals related to the lab, then notify the property owner. We don't take the house," said Engel.
The amount of mushrooms seized went from .78 grams in 2005 to 1,482.09 grams in 2006. No dollar value was given because "cost varies. Some sell by the mushroom, others by weight," said Engel.
He added that mushrooms haven't been this visible for years.
Other drugs seized were cocaine, 149.13 grams with an estimated street value of $15,000; crack cocaine, 128.73 grams with an estimated street value of $12,900; LSD, 29 unit doses with an estimated street value of $203; and oxycontin tablets, 61 unit doses. Estimated street value for oxycontin depends on the milligram of the tablet.
Since its inception in 1990, the MAN Unit has seized illegal drugs with an estimated street value above $24 million.
There are 27 task force units in Ohio and all are facing a reduction in funding. Last year, the local task force received $110,000 in funds, this year it received $59,000.
"Look at our history, we are very productive," said Engel. "We are productive even with a budget cut. But if funding is discontinued altogether, which it may be, we will fall behind. You need technology to keep up and if you can't afford it...," said Engel.
Currently, local jurisdictions are keeping the MAN Unit funded. Each gives $25,000. "We get a percentage of funds from seizures and fines. This money was used as our savings, for training and equipment. That savings is gone," said Engel.
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