The work of the Task Force resulted in 41 arrests since Jan. 1.

But success of the effort isn’t just tied to the number of arrests.

“I think we can measure the amount of success in the amount of users that we come in contact with who we are able to help and keep clean from using controlled substances,” Chief County Detective Tom Kibbey said.

“Anytime we can go through a week, month or any extended period of time without a fatal overdose from drugs like methamphetamine, cocaine or fentanyl is a win for us.”

Times Observer file photo A Warren County Drug Task Force operation in May resulted in a total of 10 arrests. Search warrants were executed in the Sugar Grove area as well as in the City of Warren.

The Task Force is led by Kibbey and First Assistant District Attorney Cody Brown.

Brown outlined several reasons why the Task Force’s activity is on the rise.

“This could be due to an increase in demand for the drugs and the rise in drug traffickers in our community,” he said. “This is a reflection on the Task Force detectives ramping up investigations, aggressive patrols and their effective investigation strategies.”

Brown said that another element of the numbers is reflected in the number of complex cases investigators have been working.

“Some of these investigations can take days or weeks while others can be more complicated and take several months to thoroughly investigate and charge,” he said.

And they can often stretch further than just the local drug dealer.

Brown said their goal includes investigating and arresting “those that are bringing this poison to our community.”

“With cooperation from other agencies, we have been able to work our way up to the larger suppliers and identify drug trafficking organizations from around the area,” Kibbey said, “and initiate cases and make additional arrests as well.”

In addition to the 41 arrests, Kibbey outlined the amount of drugs that have been seized in the last six months: 3.625 pounds of methamphetamine, 49.5 grams of cocaine and 183 grams of fentanyl.

The community’s drug of choice, if you will, has shifted and that’s reflected in those statistics.

“Over the past decade or so, we’ve seen a shift from bath salts and heroin to fentanyl and methamphetamine,” Brown explained. “Fentanyl, with its high potency and its increased presence in fentanyl-laced drugs have contributed to our current overdose crisis that we have seen over the past few years.

“While other drugs like cocaine and heroin still are in circulation, they are overshadowed by the rise of fentanyl and fentanyl-laced drugs.”

And it’s not just drugs that are seized in these cases.

This year’s arrests have included the seizure of 16 firearms, an automatic firearm and an explosive device.

“As with most drug investigations, the sale and possession of drugs comes with an increase of other crimes such as thefts, assaults and unfortunately firearms possessions,” Kibbey said. “The number of firearms seized is increasing but more alarming are the kinds of firearms such as modified automatic rifles and handguns and of course the presence of explosives.”

He added that a search earlier this year resulted in investigators locating several pipe bombs.

“We were assisted in the disposal by the Erie City Police Bomb Squad,” Kibbey siad.

“The recovery of these potentially dangerous items goes to show the extreme risks associated with drug trafficking and the threat it poses to the safety of our community,” Brown said.

Officials haven’t set specific goals or objectives for the next six months.

“The Task Force primary objective remains clear,” Brown said. “To aggressively pursue individuals responsible for bringing these harmful drugs to our communities.”

How can success for the Task Force be assessed moving forward, then?

“I measure the success of the drug task force in every arrest that they make. Whether it was one arrest or 41 arrests in six months,” Brown said, “every arrest is a victory in holding those responsible for bringing drugs to our community accountable and ends their ability to make money by providing these drugs to users.

“Removal of even one drug trafficker from the streets is a victory in my eyes and a step (forward) in making our community safer.”