[Montgomery, Ala.] The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has presented Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) with the DEA’s Spartan Award.
“The leadership team for the DEA in Alabama and the New Orleans Field Division selected ALEA due to the outstanding relationship we share as we protect our citizens from the horrific dangers of drug abuse,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Clay Morris. Specifically, ALEA was selected because of the invaluable assistance of ALEA during an international investigation into the importation, manufacture and distribution of synthetic drugs. The investigation was dubbed Operation Red Tide and was incorporated into a larger project coordinated by the DEA and our Special Operations Division titled Project Synergy. Project Synergy was a coordinated effort on a global level to attack all sections of the synthetic drug trade.
Secretary Spencer Collier said, “ALEA is honored to receive the Spartan Award. We are committed to continue to team with federal and local partners to disrupt the production and distribution of synthetic drugs in our state.” Operation Red Tide was the culmination of months of teamwork with state, local and federal law enforcement. In Alabama, 35 agencies participated resulting in 38 arrests and the seizure of over 200 pounds of synthetic drugs, $500,000 in cash and bank accounts, and 19 guns. Additionally, Alabama led the nation in the passage of comprehensive legislation – Acts 2014-184 (Landon’s Law) and 2014-306 – to combat synthetic drugs.
The award was named after the Spartan Warrior Society. The Spartan Warrior helmet was chosen to represent the award because the Spartan Warriors were some of the most feared and revered warriors in history. The individuals who were selected to receive the award exhibited many of the traits of a Spartan Warrior: a relentless pursuit of justice, tenacity, loyalty and dedication.
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The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) was created by Act 2013-67 and represents the consolidation and realignment of 12 state law enforcement agencies/functions into one entity. ALEA is responsible for the functions and missions of the former Alabama Department of Homeland Security, Department of Public Safety, Alabama Bureau of Investigation, Fusion Center, Criminal Justice Information Center, Marine Police, Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Enforcement, Department of Revenue Enforcement, Forestry Commission Investigations, Agricultural and Industry Investigations, Public Service Commission Enforcement, and Office of Prosecution Service Computer Forensics Lab.
