News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2002

Formation of Countywide Narcotics Enforcement Team Announced

Resident Agent in Charge Rich Ford of the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania DEA Office along with Lebanon City Police Chief William Harvey, Chief County Detective Paul D. Zechman, District Attorney Deirdre Eshleman, and Lebanon City Mayor Robert Anspach announced the formation of a Countywide Narcotics Enforcement Team. Described as the first full time drug enforcement effort in Lebanon County, the team is comprised of a full time Lebanon County Detective, and two full time Lebanon City Detectives, working in conjunction with DEA.

"This has been one of my most important goals for almost 15 years", said District Attorney Eshleman, "And now, because of the cooperation we have obtained from Lebanon City and the United States Attorney's Office, it has finally become a reality". The four officers assigned to this new team are four of the most talented investigators I have ever worked with, and I know they will be able to make a significant impact on the drug trade in the country", said Eshleman.

Arrests made by the team will be prosecuted in the Court of Common Pleas of Lebanon Country, and in the federal courts for the Middle District or Pennsylvania. Eshleman noted that she expects that attorneys from her office are being cross-designated by the United States Attorney to allow them to prosecute Lebanon County cases in the federal court system.

Eshleman credited Lebanon City Mayor Robert Anspach and Lebanon City Police Chief William Harvey for their vision in understanding the problems faced, and committing the necessary personnel. "It is clear that Mayor Anspach and Chief Harvey understand that drug enforcement in Lebanon City could not continue to be a part-time effort. We needed to make this effort a priority, and that is what they have done."

District Attorney Eshleman also gave a special thanks to United States Attorney Thomas Marino, for his assistance. "With the appointment of Tom Marino as our new United States Attorney, we have begun to see an unprecedented level of cooperation. Tom really understands the problems faced by law enforcement at the local level, and is willing to provide the resources he has to assist us," said Eshleman.

Lebanon City Mayor Bob Anspach noted the importance of cooperation between city, county and federal entities. Anspach acknowledged the problem of drugs in Lebanon City. Anspach continued to say that many of the drug users come into the city from other municipalities within Lebanon County. Anspach said, 'The creation of the unified narcotics unit will allow the police to address the drug issue wherever it exists in Lebanon County."