Tri-Cities ‘Drug Hub’ For Northwest, Problem Getting Worse

According to recent crime data, the Tri-Cities role as a 'distribution' hub for drugs to rest of Pacific Northwest is getting more worrisome.

According to the Benton County Sheriff's Gang Unit says they are confiscating more and more meth and heroin in busts, and the number of those are rising.

KEPR-TV reports officials say since 2012, some 26 pounds of meth have been confiscated in the county, and about a pound of heroin.

Officials say our region is the hub where the drugs are coming to, whether it's from cartels in Mexico or other locations, then it's distributed to the rest of the Northwest. They also say fentanyl, which is a highly addictive opiate-based pain killer, is increasingly coming into play as a drug of choice.

You may recall Benton County voters approved a sales tax a few years ago to help provide more resources to the gang and drug unit, and officials say another enforcement officer will be added in the future. Without this unit, say authorities, the drug problem would be far worse in our area.