By Tammy Gray A total of 166 pounds of methamphetamines, 15.6 pounds of heroin, 450 pounds of marijuana, 16.9 pounds of cocaine, and 53,000 fentanyl pills were seized by the Major Crimes Apprehension Team (MCAT) in Navajo County over the last year, the Holbrook City Council learned during their Thursday, March 11, meeting. Chief Deputy Sheriff Brian Swanty noted that those totals only include MCAT seizures, and do not account for anything seized by police agencies and the sheriff’s department during that time. Swanty and Sheriff David Clouse were on hand to make a presentation to the council regarding MCAT’s activities. Sheriff Clouse explained to the council that although Holbrook is currently unable to fully participate due to staffing shortages, MCAT offers their full services to the city. “It’s a true partnership,” Clouse said. “Holbrook has been a long-time partner.” Swanty told the council that the types of drugs being seized in Navajo County have been shifting over time. For example, seizures of fentanyl have been increasing rapidly. Just three years ago in the Phoenix area, a seizure of 5,000 pills was the largest in the state, followed shortly after by one of 8,000 pills. “That number has gone crazy since then,” he remarked. “It’s coming across by the billions of pills into our country.” He also pointed out that although marijuana has been legalized, it is with restrictions that include possession being limited to two ounces or less. “But they’re hauling it through our county in the hundreds of pounds. It’s still illegal in that bulk,” Swanty said. Going forward, MCAT will be using new proactive enforcement efforts that are based more on targeting known criminals. Swanty acknowledged that COVID-19 safety guidelines have inhibited some of the task force’s efforts, but is hoping that by this summer they can return to full activities. In other action, the council: * Swore in new council member Kip Woolford, who stated that he is there to represent the citizens and voice their concerns. * Heard a report from City Manager Ted Soltis, during which he explained that staff has been reviewing city ordinances and he plans to seek council approval for new ordinances in the future. He also noted that the city gym will remain closed until the governor will allow unsupervised gyms to reopen, and that staff is working on CDBG paperwork for funding for the Sun Valley water system. The next Holbrook city council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 25.
