All,

It is an interesting time to be associated with the greatest group of individuals in the Georgia

National Guard. I wanted to take a moment and share the transitions that are occurring be-

cause of the uncertainty of the budget situation. The Counterdrug Task Force has experienced

a time where we had stability in most positions for a very long time. We have had some

transition because some are moving to other jobs that will enable them to have longevity be-

yond CD, some have taken deployments to help the CD program save money and some have

moved to other ADOS jobs for career development. I appreciate the candidness and openness

that you all have shared with me during this difficult time. As some move on, I wanted to thank

you for your effort and diligence in making Georgia one of the national leaders in CD opera-

tions and hope that you all can stay affiliated with our organization. You will always have a

home here. For everyone else, I see the budget situation as a temporary situation that will

resolve itself in the near future (I hope). I will do all the worrying for you all. I need all of you to

stay focused on doing your job and presenting as positive outlook on the future as you can. I

thank you all for helping us get through this. I will get out and see you all soon. Thanks

LTC Sartain

Counter Drug Coordinator

C o u n t e r d r u g C o o r d i n a t o r N e w s

S P E C I A L

P O I N T S O F

I N T E R E S T :

DDR supports

a local school

GRT continues

to support

LEAs

Aviation fly's

after the snow

storm

Bad weather

prompts

safety

preparation

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

DDR 2

GRT 3

Criminal Analyst 4

CD Aviation 5

Substance Abuse 6

Safety 7

Stats 8

G E O R G I A C O U N T E R D R U G T A S K F O R C E

Georgia

Counterdrug News

15 March 2011 Volume 1, Issue 3

The Counterdrug Task force DDR team supports Whitesville Elementary School

Smiling students filed into Whitesville Elementary School eager to be there. What made this

different from other school days was that this was a Saturday. Children happy to be at school on

a Saturday? Unusual as it sounds, this was a special event that is held each year at the La Grange

school to help inform, entertain and involve kids and their families.

The Troop County Board of Education and Whitesville Elementary held their annual Family

fun day on Saturday, February 19, 2011. The Drug Demand Reduction Team was one among

more than 20 local organizations involved in the event. Students and their families were treated

to a host of entertaining events and information booths. Events included step dancers, martial

arts demonstrations, singers and helicopter exhibits. The DDR team provided a HMMWV static

display as an attraction coupled with information packets and discussions on drug awareness and

prevention.

The DDR Team was able to interact with nearly all of the 300 participants. This was evident

by the empty boxes of drug abuse pamphlets and promotional giveaways at the end of the day.

Judging by the many happy faces of students and parents involved, it was clear that everyone en-

joyed a successful Saturday school day.

D rug D emand R eductio n

P a g e 2 G e o r g i a

During the month of November, Agents from the Hall County Multi Agency Narcotics Squad (M.A.N.S.) ,

along with Georgia Counterdrug Task Force (GACDTF) Soldiers , arrested an individual during a "buy- bust"

investigation . With help from the GACDTF, Hall county officers were able to monitor, identify and secure a

suspected vehicle believed to be involved in transporting illegal narcotics. Upon securing the vehicle, it was

discovered that the vehicle was driven by a middle aged, Hispanic male who was also secured. After conduct-

ing a search of the subjects vehicle, 1 oz of methamphetamine was recovered from the cup holder in the center

console. The man was arrested and booked at Hall County’s Jail. During the last Quarter, Hall County’s

M.A.N.S agents have seized over 114.5 grams of Methamphetamine in three investigations.

1 OZ

G r o u n d R e c o n T e a m s

P a g e 3 V o l u m e 1 , I s s u e 3

On 11 February 2011, GACDTF Soldiers assisted in a search warrant that involved the CDTF and the

Floyd County SWAT team. Soldiers involved were able to provide surveillance prior to the SWAT Team’s

execution of the search warrant on a residence. The operation resulted in the arrest of 6 suspects, 3 pounds

of marijuana, 2 guns and $6379.52 in cash.

Methamphetamine packaged in zip lock

baggy, this is the way it was delivered Methamphetamine recovered from cup holder center console of vehicle.

The operational direction here at the MGRDEO is not quite the same as a local level Drug Task Force.

There seems to be a considerable amount more of investigation being done in the pre arrest phase of the

case, than in the post arrest. I believe this is a perfect fit for the 2B duty position, because it gives the analyst

an almost omniscient view of the case. Through call recordings, toll records, physical surveillance, and inter

-agency intelligence sharing, we become the information hub, and often find ourselves with as much knowl-

edge of the case as the case agent themselves.

Over the past few months this office has been a part of numerous cases with varying levels of respon-

sibility. After receiving information that a suspect was selling narcotics, we assisted in a video poker sting

operation that lead to 18 arrests and the seizure of over $130,000 in cash. With a tip from an ongoing T-III,

we took part in several seizures producing 1700 lbs of marijuana worth over $1,000,000, six vehicles, and 7

arrests so far. This case is still ongoing and looks to provide many more arrests and seizures.

Although we can get discouraged by the banality of phone toll analysis, criminal background checks,

license history checks, cross-referencing, link-analysis, and the myriad of seemingly minor tasks we perform

on a daily basis, it’s the take-downs that make us love our work. Knowing that dope will never make it into

a high school, that career criminal is going to be off the street for a long time, and our communities are a

safer place. This is due in some part to our efforts,

which makes all the tedium worthwhile.

Criminal A nalys ts

P a g e 4 G e o r g i a

1200 Lbs of marijuana seized during a traffic

stop.

$45,000 seized from illegal video poker operation.

C o u n t e r d r u g A v i a t i o n

P a g e 5 V o l u m e 1 , I s s u e 3

During this past quarter Counterdrug Aviation has had a busy schedule. In November, we received the

highly anticipated LUH-72A Lakota helicopter. Since reception, we have been on a whirlwind, attending all

the schools and training for this new aircraft. Going from a 1960 and 70 era platform, to the most technologi-

cally advanced aircraft in the Army’s fleet is an overwhelming transition. Missions are still continuing while in

transition and in doing so, CD AV supported ICE in one of the largest single takedowns here in the Marietta

area. Two OH-58 helicopters were involved in this opera-

tion. While one aircraft was conducting rolling surveil-

lance, another was providing FLIR, Night Sun, and live

down link recording of the mission. There were over

twenty five law enforcement agencies involved. The op-

eration began at 0400 and continued thru 1300. The re-

sults of the operation produced one pound of metham-

phetamine, one kilo of cocaine, 17 guns, and 19 arrests.

In the recent snow storm, the CD AV was asked to pro-

vide an aerial platform for TAG, The Georgia Director of

Transportation and the new Governor. The Lakota has

been a great addition to the CD program, expanding its

role while already gaining major accolades for its appearance and ride.

Counter Drug Aviation Supports Operation Star Base

The Georgia National Guard Substance Abuse Program (GSAP) has truly started off FY11 with a

bang. The Substance Abuse Department passed the National Guard Bureau CPE inspection for the first

time in Georgia history. The national average for the CPE inspection was 76% and Georgia exceeded

that mark by scoring 85% for its total average. Due to the advance turnaround of the program, the Geor-

gia Substance Abuse Program now serves as a benchmark and inspiration for other National Guard Sub-

stance Abuse Offices. Our office has trained over 380 Unit Prevention Leaders and Drug Testing Pro-

gram Managers for the state. This has increased productivity by 50% enabling us to exceed quarterly

quotas consecutively in FY 10, and our discrepancy rate is at an all time low. This is a direct reflection

of the professional service members that manage effective substance programs at the unit level.

The Substance Abuse team is excited about the upcoming

year. Georgia now provides free counseling for service

members that may have substance abuse issues. We are also

conducting training in the Savannah/Ft. Stewart area, and

actively lobbying

senior leadership

to expand the

program to better

serve the

Georgia National Guard. It has been a joy to see the program

transform from a dysfunctional department to a highly effec-

tive operation. The best is yet to come.

Subs tance ab use

P a g e 6 G e o r g i a

Army UPLs: 195 Air Guard DTPAMS: 160 Testing to date: Army– 8177 Air Guard-1865 FY2010 1st Quarter: 14% 2nd Quarter: 35%

S t a t e w i d e S u b s t a n c e A b u s e S t a t s

March showers may bring May flowers but it also brings floods, tornados, thunderstorms, and

possible blizzards. It is important for Soldiers/ Airman to take a proactive approach to bad

weather and prepare before the event.

Get a battery operated weather radio. It needs to be battery operated in case the electricity is

out during bad weather. Make sure that you also have extra batteries.

Stockpile bottled water, prepackaged dry food and canned goods that can be stored for long

periods of time. Some foods include granola bars, pop-tarts, dry milk, and pretty much any-

thing that comes in a can. Always check the expiration dates to make sure they are safe to eat.

In case of a tornado, have a safe area pre-designated in your house where the family can wait

out the storm.

Rehearse your emergency plans so every member of the family knows what to do

Think about safety in your vehicle! You may be stranded in your car so stock a safety kit in

each vehicle.

The next Safety Council meeting will be held during Annual Training on 31 March 2011.

The new Safety Officer is CW2 Ron Young

Send a request to CW2 Ron Young for all Soldiers/Airmen who still need to attend the CD Safety

Course.

New CLS bags are being ordered for all sections!

S a f e t y N e w s

S a f e t y C o u n c i l N e w s

P a g e 7 V o l u m e 1 , I s s u e 3

Counterdrug Coordinator: LTC Benjamin Sartain (678) 655-3473

Executive Officer: CPT Joshua Patterson (678) 655-3478

NCOIC: CSM Mike Hurndon (678) 655-3472

C o n t a c t I n f o r m a t i o n

STATS

Counterdrug HQ Address:

Georgia Counterdrug Task Force

1651 Perry St. BLDG 826

Dobbins ARB, GA 30069-4812