"Their purpose has been to carry out an aggressive, proactive enforcement measure to intercept the flow of illegal narcotics that are being transported by motor vehicles that travel through the county," said Gwinnett police spokesman David Schiralli.
Since H.I.T. was formed in February of 2008, officers have pulled over 6000 cars, made almost 450 arrests, and confiscated over $13 million in cash and drugs.
According to the department, H.I.T. has conducted 3,296 traffic stops this year. From those stops, a combined $1,974,000 in cash and illegal drugs were confiscated.
Officers made 121 misdemeanor arrests, 119 felony arrests, located 58 wanted persons and recovered 12 stolen vehicles.
The unit also has been instrumental in working with other local and federal law enforcement agencies where there has been an additional $8,873,000 in roadside seizure of drugs and cash.
That's compared with $11,125,000 in drugs seized last year.
"A H.I.T. supervisor stated that we are making more arrests but finding smaller amounts of drugs in each case," said Schiralli.
He said the program's past success has kept drug-runners from Gwinnett's roads.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/7/221733