WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) today announced $2,782,058 to support the Maryland State Police in curbing the use of illegal and dangerous drugs statewide. This federal funding comes through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Anti-Methamphetamine Program (CAMP) and Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF). Both programs help state law enforcement agencies investigate and shut down laboratories and illicit distribution networks related to the sale of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and carfentanil.

“No corner of our state has been left untouched by illicit drug use. So, it is as important as ever to invest in resources that take life-threatening, illegal substances out of circulation,” said the lawmakers. “This federal funding will support our fight against the drug and opioid crisis that has unfortunately taken the lives of far too many Marylanders and devastated far too many families. Team Maryland is committed to securing funding for public safety programs that help keep our communities safe and healthy.”

The COPS Office advances public safety through the practice of community policing and building stronger bonds between law enforcement and the communities served. Nationally, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including through grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 136,000 officers.

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