CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - New London gets drug dog

New London gets drug dog

By Wilton Johnson

NEW LONDON, TX

KYTX- This is New London's free drug dog, a gift from a West Texas kennel to recently hired New London Police Officer Steve Drumm.

"I've actually made donations to them, put dogs in their program in the past and I've known the kennel for awhile. I'm actually certified through their kennel in the past," Officer Drumm said.

Drug trafficking in western Rusk County, mainly meth and crack, is taking the backroads on 42. Before today, it would be an hour wait for a county drug dog, and the county would claim the money from any forfeitures and or seizures.

"If there is a seizure there is a potential for us to get some contraband back to the city and the dog would pay for itself," Mayor Pat Dailey said.

For example, if a drug runner is stopped, his car seized and auctioned for 1,000 dollars, Michael Jimerson's office would get 25% and the City of New London the rest. $750 dollars is not chump change for this quiet town.

"The dog can search for people its a tracking dog as well as a narcotics dog. It's going to be a dog that will be utilized in our school system," Chief Paul Thompson said.

One officer hired, one donated, the latter a money maker.

"The amount of narcotics passing through the western part of Rusk County including here in New London is on the increase."