DEA To Train Delaware Law Enforcement On Heroin Overdose Investigations To Combat Epidemic Of Prescription Opioid And Heroin Ab
Training will take place on February 9, 16, & 18, 2016
PHILADELPHIA - Special Agent in Charge Gary Tuggle of the Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA) Philadelphia Field Division announced today the release of “Operation Trojan Horse,” which will be a coordinated effort between the DEA and state and local law enforcement agencies in Delaware to combat the current prescription opioid and heroin abuse epidemic.
At the start of this new initiative, the DEA will host three training sessions for state and local law enforcement in Delaware. The goal of this training is to educate law enforcement about the link between prescription opioid and heroin abuse. Other topics include investigative techniques involving heroin and fentanyl cases, the regulation and criminal diversion of pharmaceutical controlled substances, and evidence collection at the scene of suspected fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses.
The DEA’s “Operation Trojan Horse” will also provide state and local law enforcement agencies with funding and other resources about sources of supply for prescription opioids and heroin to assist them with furthering their own investigations.
“State and local law enforcement officers are often the first to respond at overdose scenes,” said Tuggle. “Recognizing the need for immediate medical attention for the victim first, we want to train law enforcement to be cognizant of the evidence at the scene that may tell us from whom and where these drugs came from.” Tuggle added that approximately 120 people die each day in the United States from drug overdoses.
The DEA will offer this one-day free training, which is restricted to law enforcement personnel, on February 9th and February 16th in Newark, Delaware at the Troop 2 barracks of the Delaware State Police. The DEA will also offer this training on February 18th in Dover, Delaware at Delaware State University.
Members of the media requesting additional information about “Operation Trojan Horse” and this training are asked to contact DEA Public Information Officer/Special Agent Patrick J. Trainor at (215) 852-8740 or patrick.j.trainor@usdoj.gov.
