Over two months, GRANITE, the Gore Range Narcotics Interdiction Team, has seen drug seizures along I-70 in Eagle County totaling about 85 pounds of methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl. The interstate is a major drug trafficking route and officials say activity is up everywhere.
Gore Range Narcotics Interdiction Team
Fentanyl pills seized during a recent drug bust on I-70 in Eagle County.
Gore Range Narcotics Interdiction Team
Over the past two months, Eagle County has seen a string of large drug busts by GRANITE, the Gore Range Narcotics Interdiction Team, along the county’s busiest link to the rest of the world: Interstate 70.
shows expenses incurred between December 17, 2020, and January 3, 2021 include 77 charges from rental car companies at Eagle County Regional Airport and Denver International Airport, and lodging expenses at several area hotels including over $270,000 spent at the Marriott Vail Mountain and more than $80,000 at the Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch.
“The trip came with a massive bill to taxpayers, with Secret Service protection alone costing $757,527.85,” CREW reports
. Mike and Karen Pence were the only two listed protectees on the documents.
A brief history of VP visits
The Vail area has a long history of visits from vice presidents and the costs tied to security detail are the largest expenses from these trips. Members of the Secret Service have also, more than once, been in the spotlight for things other than operational costs.
Vail Police Chief Dwight Henninger is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Board. Henninger and other top police officials in the valley support a recent letter the association sent to Congress urging action on police reform.
Dominique Taylor/Daily file photo
The International Association of Chiefs of Police is appealing to Congress to pass federal police reform legislation. The valley’s top law enforcement officials say it’s past time for action.
The association recently sent a letter, titled “It is beyond time,” to Congress, and members are lobbying federal representatives.
“Over the last seven years, communities and police departments have struggled over the difficult questions central to police reform efforts when it is appropriate to use force, how should officers and agencies be held accountable, what should the community’s role be in police policy and oversight, and what roles must other agencies play in public safety,” th
Eagle County Sheriff s Office
The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office has updated its uniforms to include new “load-bearing” vests in an effort to promote the long-term health of its uniformed team members.
The vests are designed to redistribute the weight of equipment, up to 30 pounds, that is carried on a traditional duty belt to the load-bearing vest. That redistribution of weight improves function, comfort and mobility, the sheriff’s office said.
“We expect that this new change will greatly improve the long-term physical health of our staff who have been wearing heavy equipment on their duty belt for years,” Eagle County Sheriff James van Beek said in a news release announcing the new vests.
Thursday was a busy day on Vail Pass as crews from nearly a dozen different emergency response agencies gathered to practice joint search and rescue drills in a display of cooperative rescue tactics, as well as education for the public.
“Part of this is an awareness campaign, part of it is also an opportunity to work together,” Eagle County Sheriff James van Beek said Thursday from the popular backcountry area. “Accidents don’t recognize county lines. … We have to work with our partners and these are the ones with matching skill sets, so it’s a good opportunity to get to know each other.”