As part of a national cooperative effort to interrupt drug trafficking and highlight the effectiveness of federal grant funding in combating drug crimes, officers from the Michigan State Police (MSP) and Michigan's 22 multijurisdictional drug teams participated in a one-day enforcement sweep, known as Operation Byrne Blitz.

On March 5, Michigan officers conducted 35 search warrants, arrested 223 individuals and seized over 460 pounds of marijuana.  Officers also dismantled two indoor grow operations and seized 17 guns, as well as various other drugs including cocaine, heroin, Methamphetamine and prescription pain killers. 

"Byrne grant funding is vital to our continued efforts to combat drug crime in Michigan," said Colonel Peter C. Munoz, director of the MSP.  "Considering drug crimes often cross jurisdictional lines, cooperative teams, such as the 22 we have in Michigan, are especially effective at interrupting drug trafficking."

This is the third year Michigan officers have participated in this national effort coordinated by the National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agencies (NASDEA) and the National Narcotics' Officers Associations' Coalition (NNOAC).  Michigan officers made 242 arrests during the 2006 sweep and 211 arrests in 2007.

"The Office of Drug Control Policy is proud to continue its support for combating drug crimes in partnership with NASDEA, NNOAC and MSP," said Donald Allen, Director of the Office of Drug Control Policy.  "We have proven again the effectiveness of such collaborative efforts in disrupting the drug trade.  Operation Byrne Blitz likely would not be possible without the financial support of Byrne Justice Assistance Grants and we hope Congress continues to fund these worthy programs."

Michigan's multijurisdictional drug teams include representatives from state, county and local police departments.  Byrne grants help these teams by offsetting the cost for each department to have its own team.

Byrne grants are named in honor of New York City Police Department Officer Edward Byrne, who was fatally shot by drug traffickers in 1998, while on assignment protecting a witness in a drug case.

The media is encouraged to contact their area multijurisdictional team commander for local information.
D/F/Lt. Garth Burnside, Southeast Michigan, (734) 994-8881
D/F/Lt. Wayne Edington, Southwest Michigan, (269) 962-1225
D/F/Lt. Tim Gill, Mid-Michigan, (517) 322-1285
D/F/Lt. Melvin Mathews, Bay-Thumb area, (989) 790-6581
D/F/Lt. John Porter, Western Mid-Michigan, (616) 647-0805
D/Lt. Jeffrey Racine, Upper Peninsula, (906) 346-9289
D/F/Lt. Chester Wilson, Northern-Lower Michigan, (231) 938-0714