U.S. Attorney David J. Freed and the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) announced nearly $42 million in funding to support state-level law enforcement agencies in combating the illegal manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil and prescription opioids.

According to U.S. Attorney David J. Freed, in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Police will receive over $1.5 million in funding to support investigations into trafficking in heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids.

“On a daily basis, we work closely with our partners at the Pennsylvania State Police to investigate and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that are preying upon our citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Freed. “I am very pleased that the COPS program has recognized the great work of PSP and is supporting our joint efforts to fight these highly addictive and often deadly substances by providing over 1.5 million dollars in funding. The Department of Justice clearly recognizes that 85 percent of law enforcement across the country is state and local and that there is no daylight between our shared missions.”

“Drug traffickers exploit the heroin and opioid epidemic to create sophisticated criminal enterprises that put our communities at risk,” said Colonel Robert Evanchick, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. “The funding announced today will help the state police continue to collaborate with our local law enforcement partners to identify and dismantle these organizations and disrupt the flow of illicit drugs into Pennsylvania.”