Tonight, there is criticism directed on the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s drug office located in North Huntingdon, Westmoreland County, following the discovery of $100,000 missing.
The office is the subject of a criminal investigation after authorities found $100,000 in unaccounted-for narcotics buy and forfeiture money.
In North Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and Drug Control is housed in an unremarkable gray block building on Route 30.
It is “one of the largest agencies in the nation devoted exclusively to drug enforcement,” according to the Attorney General’s website.
This office is currently under criminal investigation after over $100,000 in narcotics buy money and forfeiture money went missing.
“Sorry, I do not have a comment for you,” the press secretary for the AG responded.
However, sources claim that earlier this year, agents working for the Attorney General’s office found the missing money.
It comprises at least $24,000 in controlled drug buy monies and at least $77,000 in drug forfeiture money that was taken from drug dealers in Western Pennsylvania.
In western Pennsylvania, undercover drug operations employ that money to find criminals and buy illegal substances.
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According to sources, just a small portion of the workers in this building had access to such money. It’s unclear, according to sources, why the office possessed $77,000 in drug forfeiture funds.
They advised depositing that sum of money in the bank, writing out a check, and giving the money to the Harrisburg Asset Forfeiture division.
According to law enforcement authorities, the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office has now received all of the information on the missing money.
Westmoreland County District Attorney Melanie Jones stated, “At this time, we cannot confirm or deny there is an investigation and it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further.”
We also inquired about the proper way for law enforcement to handle drug buy money and forfeiture from Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala.
Zappala is unrelated to the Westmorland County AG’s Office case or investigation.
“We have an individual internal outside audit of our office. We have two people who are dedicated for those funds,” Allegheny Co. District Attorney Stephen Zappala stated.
After starting a county-wide drug task force in Allegheny County more than 20 years ago, Zappala has worked with drug forfeiture and drug buy money for years.
He claimed to have put in place a check and balance system and that it is vitally crucial to monitor these kinds of funds. He added that any problems with that fund could eventually put legal proceedings in jeopardy.
“Absolutely, there can’t be any dishonesty whatsoever,” Zappala stated.
Police are currently investigating who took all of this money and why, according to law enforcement sources who claim that this looks to be an inside job.