PRESS RELEASE 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ-4), Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ-6), Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ-12), Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ-13) and Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ-7) today announced Mercer and Middlesex Counties in New Jersey will be included in the NY/NJ High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (NY/NJ HIDTA), which will enable federal and state law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking and violent gang activity more effectively.

“Mercer and Middlesex Counties have seen an increase in drug trafficking and gang activity in recent years,” said Sen. Lautenberg. “Including these two counties in the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area will give federal, state and county authorities the tools they need to combat drugs and gangs more effectively and maintain public safety.”

Senator Menendez: “The reality our communities face is that gangs and drug trafficking are scourges that span urban and suburban areas, and beyond. This action will give federal, state and local law enforcement an expanded array of tools with which to crack down on this criminal activity and keep our neighborhoods and families safe.”

“We have seen an alarming rise in drug-related activity and gang violence,” said Smith, who represents a large share of Mercer County. “Law enforcement authorities need every available resource they can get to combat drugs and gangs in our communities. This designation by the National Drug Control Policy Office will provide one more resource to our police and prosecutors who are on the front lines to protect the public.”

“This is great news for the citizens of New Jersey and our efforts to combat drug trafficking and gang related violence in our communities,” Rep. Pallone said. “Mercer and Middlesex counties have seen an increase in drug and gang related activities recently and including them in the NY/NJ HIDTA will provide local, state and federal law enforcement officials the tools and resources they need to combat these problems and ensure the safety of our residents and keep violence off our streets.”

“I am pleased that my request with Senators Lautenberg and Menendez and others in our delegation was honored so we can better combat the scourge of gangs and illegal drug activity in Mercer and Middlesex Counties,” Rep. Holt said.

“By expanding this initiative to Mercer and Middlesex Counties, our ability to fight crime and protect our citizens is further enhanced.  I am thankful the counties can now benefit from the increased coordination and information that the program provides,” said Rep. Sires.

“This is outstanding news for New Jersey’s anti-drug efforts,” said Rep. Leonard Lance, who represents Middlesex County municipalities Woodbridge, Edison and South Plainfield.  “This special NY/NJ HIDTA designation will allow law enforcement to leverage federal, state and local resources and intelligence-sharing to better enhance our drug control efforts.  I am proud to have teamed up with members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation on this important issue.”

New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram said: “This is a significant boost to our comprehensive plan to combat violent drug gangs in New Jersey, connecting major areas of our state together and solidifying our partnership with federal law enforcement agencies.”

The Senators and Congressmen sent a letter in April to the Office of National Drug Control Policy requesting the designation.  In their letter, they noted how Mercer and Middlesex Counties are confronted with significant drug and gang violence that threaten public safety and that inclusion in NY/NJ HIDTA is necessary to enhance these counties’ and New Jersey’s ability to combat violent crime and drug trafficking through a regional approach.  A copy of the full letter is attached.

NY/NJ HIDTA's mission is to reduce illegal drug use and the harm it causes.  Recognizing that no single effective solution exists, the NY/NJ HIDTA seeks to accomplish its mission through collaborative, measurable initiatives ranging from enforcement and prosecution to prevention. NY/NJ HIDTA was one of the five original High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas designated in 1990.  Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, and Union Counties are the New Jersey counties that already participate in the NY/NJ HIDTA.

CONTACT:

Lautenberg Press Office 202.224.3224

Menendez Press Office 202.224.4744

Jeff Sagnip (Smith) 609.585.7878

Tali Israeli (Pallone) 202.225.4671

Zach Goldberg (Holt) 202.225.5801

Erica Daughtrey (Sires) 201.222.2828

Angie Lundberg (Lance) 202.225.9460

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