Today, the House passed SB131, which establishes a cross border drug interdiction program. The bill will add five state troopers to work with Massachusetts officials to target drugs and dealers along the border, and adds $2.4 million to the Granite Hammer program, which will allow more communities to take advantage of drug interdiction efforts. The bill passed the House by a 252-108 vote.
House Majority Leader Richard Hinch (R-Merrimack) released the following statement in response to the House’s passage of SB131:
“New Hampshire is in the midst dealing with a significant drug and opioid crisis, and the passage of this bill is a vital component of combating that crisis. SB131 will enable law enforcement to continue targeting drug dealers and work to cut off the supply of drugs coming into this state, including heroin, fentanyl, and the latest addition of the fatal drug carfentanil. By adding five additional troopers to work directly with Massachusetts police and officials, critical resources and information will be shared in order to stem the flow of drugs crossing our borders.”
“We are facing an unprecedented crisis in New Hampshire that is claiming lives on a daily basis. The law enforcement community has demonstrated an urgent and compelling need for this program continue, and this bill will continue operations that take drugs off the streets and put dealers and traffickers behind bars. We realize this crisis in our state requires a three legged