2004 Annual Report

For the calendar year 2004, the Vice/Narcotics Unit of the Council Bluffs Police Department was involved in a continuing drug task force covering Pottawattamie, Mills and Harrison Counties. This Task Force consists of members of the Council Bluffs Police Department, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Department, the Mills County Sheriff's Department, the Glenwood Police Department, the Harrison County Sheriff's Department, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The Task Force was busy with a wide variety of investigations in 2004, with most of them being narcotics cases. A number of these were joint investigations with other agencies such as the Omaha Police Division, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Task Force is still working with one less investigator than in previous years

Narcotics cases for 2004 totaled 231, a 40% increase from 2003. These cases resulted in 150 people being arrested on 248 charges. A further breakdown shows that 109 individuals were arrested or have warrants outstanding on a total of 178 charges for Manufacturing, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, or Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver. The results of our investigations enabled us to take 44 subjects for Federal prosecution and make 32 referrals to the Department of Revenue. The Task Force was either directly or indirectly involved in the discovery or dismantling of 33 Meth labs during the year. We believe that at least 80% of the Meth in our area is imported rather than produced here

Members of the Task Force served 53 search warrants and conducted 71 consent searches. Officers seized 5 vehicles during the year, and 1 has been forfeited to the Task Force to date. Investigators also seized 107 firearms.

Drug Hotline reports for 2004 totaled 202 and drug related Crimestopper reports totaled 42. The total number of cases closed was 252.

2005 Annual Report

For the calendar year 2005, the Vice/Narcotics Unit of the Council Bluffs Police Department was involved in a continuing drug task force covering Pottawattamie, Mills and Harrison Counties. This Task Force consists of members of the Council Bluffs Police Department, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Department, the Mills County Sheriff's Department, the Glenwood Police Department, the Harrison County Sheriff's Department, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The Task Force was busy with a wide variety of investigations in 2005, with most of them being narcotics cases. A number of these were joint investigations with other agencies such as the Omaha Police Division, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration

As the Task Force continues to work with less manpower and continued budget cuts, the forecast for this Task Force is that of elimination. This community would most definitely suffer if this should happen. Overall crime would undoubtedly increase because drug abusers will do anything to get money for their next fix. Numerous suspects arrested for forgery, burglary, and theft state the principle reason for their behavior is a methamphetamine habit. We all know the link between drugs and other criminal behavior, but we cannot fully determine the extent to which the quality of life in the community would be diminished by this drug related criminal behavior. We experienced this violent behavior first hand in Glenwood, Iowa while conducting a search warrant. Officers of this Unit still experience the aftermath that an officer involved shooting has. Another incident occurred here in Council Bluffs as this Unit again was serving a search warrant when officers were shot at. No one was injured and the suspect was taken into custody. These are just examples of the violent behavior that this Unit experienced within the last year as we work short handed and with less money. We are the only drug task force in southwest Iowa and are constantly being asked to assist other agencies in areas outside the Task Force counties. In the spirit of cooperation and coordination, this Task Force is always there to help. With little to no funding for undercover drug purchases and confidential informant payments, the effectiveness of drug enforcement would be severely limited. I would hate to see the fight to eliminate illegal drugs from our Task Force area stymied by the lack of funds.

Narcotics cases for 2005 totaled 281, a 22% increase from 2004. These cases resulted in 167 people being arrested on 286 charges. A further breakdown shows that 88 individuals were arrested or have warrants outstanding on a total of 204 charges for Manufacturing, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, or Possession of a Controlled Substance With Intent to Deliver. The results of our investigations enabled us to take 34 subjects for Federal prosecution and make 18 referrals to the Department of Revenue. The Task Force was either directly or indirectly involved in the discovery or dismantling of 24 Meth labs during the year. We believe that at least 80% of the Meth in our area is imported rather than produced here.