Officials support regional approach to battle Branch County's persistent drug crimes

BRANCH COUNTY — As Coldwater looks to join the Southwest Enforcement Team, local court officials are weighing in on how prominent of a problem drug use is in the county.

Prosecutor Zack Stempien handled nearly 500 cases last year.

"I would say probably three out of every four cases, if not more, involves drugs or alcohol," he said.

Branch County Public Defender Matt Glazer said all his office's felony cases are drug related.

Branch County sees some heroin or drugs cut with fentanyl, which can lead to overdose or death.

"(The local drug of choice is) still methamphetamine because the cost of it is much cheaper," Stempien said. 

Coldwater Director of Public Safety Joe Scheid wants to commit an officer to the Southwest Enforcement Team, the multi-jurisdictional drug organization headed by Michigan State Police.

Scheid told the Coldwater City Council two weeks ago that he has enough officers to assign one as a detective with the team for three to five years without hurting local enforcement.

The city would subsidize the salary and provide an unmarked vehicle.

The federal Bureau of Justice Assistance grant for High-Intensity Drug Trafficking provides a $30,000 annual grant. SWET covers overtime up to $9,600.

The prosecutor said, "You either cut off the supply or the demand. There's so much demand that you're never going to cut it off."

Circuit Judge Bill O'Grady said the meth culture changed over the last two decades.  While "one pot cooks" in plastic bottles using cold medication was previously prevalent, those using drugs are now buying lab-made crystal meth for less than the cold medicine.

O'Grady said, "There is an entire new international dynamic that we have not had in the last 15 to 20 years."

SWET officers target those who import and distribute the drugs in Southwest Michigan.

Stempien locally prosecutes meth users who sell to friends to supply their habits.  He said drug use can lead to other criminal activities.

"Prolonged drug use has caused emotional or mental issues," he said.

Larcenies, thefts, credit cards, and check crimes often result from those looking for money to buy drugs.

Stempien said drug use is also often a significant component in domestic violence, child neglect and abuse cases.

The prosecutor supports the multi-jurisdictional approach. Without the active cooperation, "you're going to cut off a lot of valuable information that you get" from neighboring authorities, he said.

Stempien said, "We've had a couple of cases over the last two years that we have caught people with larger amounts. They are certainly connected to the bigger drug trade than what we have here."

In prior years, cases worked with Michigan State Police showed Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties as local drug sources.

Local defendants often are prosecuted in neighboring counties.

-- Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com. 

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Officials support regional approach to battle Branch County's persistent drug crimes