Limestone County Sheriff's Office Deputy Jamie King, left, and Anthony Bruno were recently named to the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force.

Sheriff Mike Blakely announced Monday that two Limestone County deputies have been named to the state’s new Drug Enforcement Task Force.

Deputies Jamie King and Anthony Bruno received their credentials Thursday at a ceremony at the state capital in Montgomery. The task force comprises 47 member agencies and 75 officers.

The mission of the task force is to share resources and intelligence to dismantle drug trafficking organizations and fight violent crime. The program was established in October by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency in conjunction with law enforcement agencies from around the state.

ALEA’s Secretary of Law Enforcement Hal Taylor has been pleased by the progress of the task force thus far.

“It’s not just drugs. You’ll take murderers off the streets. You’ll take guns off the street,” he said. “What this task force will do will be so good for the state.”

During the first three months of operation, the task force has opened 172 criminal investigations, resulting in 275 criminal charges and 99 arrests. Members also have seized illegal drugs including opioid drugs, heroin, cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine with a total street value of approximately $2.1 million. In addition to drugs, 98 firearms have been seized from persons operating in the illegal drug trade.

ADECA is administering approximately $1.3 million in grants to cover the task force’s operational expenses, equipment purchases, training opportunities, overtime pay and travel.

“I commend those law enforcement officers who have agreed to become a part of the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force and the commitment and sacrifices they make in carrying out their duties,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is proud to be a part of this process that will take drugs out of our communities and make our streets safer.”