By Seth Helton
Murray, KY – A five percent federal funding cut to the Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force this year is in advance of what officials say are likely to be massive cuts next year. The task force assists West Kentucky law enforcement in 20 counties police drug trafficking and production, especially in rural areas. Director Lorie Blakely says federal grants make up a large portion of the task force's budget. Without them she says ,the cuts would change the face of the organization.
"It could possibly mean here that employees may be losing their jobs; and of course; if we're short staffed then that cuts us down on what type of assistance we can provide for other communities."
The task force was involved in nearly 200 meth lab raids last year. Blakely says the task force's budget is supplemented by payments made by member counties based on population. But... Blakely says the task force is exploring alternate avenues of funding.