Discussion and possible action to continue paying grant funded personnel under the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force Agreement, DEA Narcotics Task Force for Ninety (90) days, until notification about grant continuation award from the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration. [Fund #2592]
 
Issue: HIDTA is a multi-agency task force that continues to gather intelligence and disrupts the illicit flow of narcotics and money laundering activities along the South Texas Border region. South Texas HITDA is an alliance of over 57 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies working together to combat drug trafficking and related crimes. Historically the Grantor has always submitted award letters to local law enforcement agencies between the months of February and March; Nonetheless, the grants are retroactive to January 1st of each calendar year.
 
Solution: For the Webb County District Attorney's Office to continue supporting HIDTA by employing grant funded investigators and continue corroborating with other law enforcement agencies to push forward the mission and goals of the South Texas HIDTA task force.
 
Result: The Webb County District Attorney's Office will continue to employ HIDTA funded investigators who will actively participate and help the task force fight against the continued flow of illicit drugs and related crime within the South Texas region.

Background:
There is evidence that trafficking in narcotics and dangerous drugs exists in Laredo, and surrounding areas and that such illegal activity has a substantial and detrimental effect on the health and welfare of the community. The DEA Task force will collaborate between state and local law enforcement agencies by conducting undercover operations lead by DEA Task force participants. The objective is to disrupt the illicit drug traffic in Laredo and surrounding areas by immobilizing targeted violators and trafficking organizations; therefore minimizing the harmful effects of illegal drugs and organized crime.
 

Grant application submission was approved on 03-06-2025