FBI CHECKS DRUG TASK FORCE FOR SIGNS OF CASH SKIMMING

Bartholomew Sullivan- Commercial Appeal (TN)

Sun, 12 May 2002

Federal law enforcement officials are looking into whether interstate drug interdiction officers in Crittenden County and West Memphis have skimmed cash seized from couriers along the lucrative "money route" through the Mid-South crossroads.

West Memphis police personnel records indicate the FBI was investigating drug interdiction operations on the interstate highways well before three West Memphis drug enforcement officers were fired last year.

Crittenden County interstates have been the source of more than $5.4 million in cash seized from suspected drug couriers in the past 2 years, records show. One focus of the probe is whether officers helped themselves to some of that money.

Federal officials would not confirm whether a Little Rock grand jury investigation is under way. But West Memphis Police Chief Robert H. Paudert says he assisted in the federal probe after going to the FBI with his suspicions more than a year ago. Records indicate he wanted to know whether officers had planted evidence in order to make some cases.

And Crittenden County Sheriff Dick Busby says he's aware some of his deputies are under suspicion, but he won't say more than that.

snip-

Read Complete Article Here