Taking to the streets, Fallon’s number one weapon against drug crimes is back. The Task Force. Overseen by the State of Nevada Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Task Force is on a mission; narcotics enforcement and protecting local citizens against drug related quality of life crimes.
The Task Force, which is a grant-funded joint law-enforcement operation, includes officers on loan from the Fallon Police Department, deputies from the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office, and investigators from the Department of Public Service. The program supervisor, whose name must remain confidential, is a former DEA agent who brings with him a wealth of experience. He aims to keep the program going well into the future and focus on a single goal – to make Churchill County safer for all residents.
According to the program supervisor, Fallon’s number one drug of choice remains methamphetamines. Interestingly, that has been the case since the drug’s arrival on the local scene in the 1980’s. On a positive note however, meth manufacturing in the area remains nominal. Since the 2006 Food & Drug Administration restriction on bulk sales of ephedrine, the primary ingredient in meth, it has become costly and more difficult to obtain. As such, small scale production has become too expensive and risky for most. Some “one-pot” operations still exist, in which a small batch of the drug is cooked primarily for personal use.
The median age of methamphetamines users is rising, with the largest number of the users over 30. The Task Force is also making more arrests of meth users that are in their 50s and 60s. The teen age and young adult population tend toward the of what are considered party drugs; marijuana, ecstasy, opioids, and cocaine. Cocaine has made somewhat of comeback, primarily with users in their early twenties to mid-thirties. In a recent arrest, the Task Force confiscated nearly 40 grams of cocaine from of an individual who had moved approximately 566 grams into the county in the last six months.
Most of the meth coming into Churchill County is transported from Reno or Las Vegas, primarily via California and Arizona. These shipments are usually mid-to-high-level amounts (multiple ounces or more). The bulk of the Task Force enforcement activity involves low-level users to mid-level dealers. A mid-level dealer, according to the supervising investigator, generally deals in amounts up to 28.6 grams, or 1 oz.
Recent legislative changes effective July 1st have made it more difficult to leverage mid-level dealers and gain assistance from them in investigations. One of many changes in law increased the amount of a controlled substance considered to be trafficking case from 28 to 100 grams, even when items used for sales and distribution are in evidence. Additionally, sentencing in drug cases is now less forceful. For example, anyone caught with up to 44 grams of any drug can still be considered for probation.
The Task Force has also seen an increase in the use and sales of prescription medications including opioids, benzodiazepines like Xanax, and some heroin. Although, the Task Force is not seeing the level of opioid and heroin addiction in Fallon that is being reported in other areas in the state. Additionally, they are not usually seeing high dosage units in the pills confiscated. According to the Task Force, most of what they are seeing is individuals selling their own prescription medications for cash. On the street, a 1 mg Xanax pill can go for $3 apiece.
According to the Task Force, the illegal sale of prescription drugs is more difficult for law enforcement to trace. The crack-down on doctors and pharmacies for over-prescribing pain and anxiety medications has had a significant impact on the amount of those drugs hitting the street. However, the ones that do are more difficult to track. In large part, it comes down to word of mouth and self-reporting. It’s simply not as obvious.
While the initial COVID-19 restrictions were having a devastating impact on the local economy, the amount of drugs being transported into Fallon were not really impacted by the temporary travel restrictions that were in place. “It didn’t slow them down much,” stated the Task Force supervisor, “although, we did see a spike in the amount of available product after the restrictions were lifted.”
Despite the increase in drug use across the county, the Task Force is having a sizable impact on Fallon’s drug problem. Since the Task Force reactivated in January, they have made over 50 arrests, seized 80 pounds in illegal marijuana, over one pound of meth, one-half pound of cocaine. They have also seized over 600 dosage units of opioids and 3,000 dosage units of ephedrine for the purpose of manufacturing meth. Additionally, they have seized three vehicles, four weapons, and over $3,000 in cash. Interestingly, approximately 98% of the individuals arrested either have marijuana on their person or in their system.
“We are out here,” states the Task Force Supervisor. “And we appreciate the community buy-in for the need for narcotics enforcement.” They also appreciate the cooperation with area law enforcement including, Chief of Police Kevin Gehman and the Fallon Police Department, Sheriff Hickox and the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office, and the local Parole and Probation staff.
To report information, please call 775-423-1930.
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