Fort Thomas Sets Up Dedicated Heroin Interdiction Team

A serial burglar was stopped and arrested as a result of Operation November Blitz in November 2014. That was the genesis and inspiration of Fort Thomas' new heroin interdiction team. Picture from FTM media partner, WCPO. 

A successful initiative conducted by several departments in Campbell County in 2014 has led to a concerted effort to help eradicate impaired driving and the buying and selling of heroin in Fort Thomas.

When it was carried out in November of 2014, police said Operation November Blitz was just the beginning. Now, in Fort Thomas, police are carrying out that promise.

RELATED: Operation November Blitz 

Lt. Rich Whitford said that the Fort Thomas Police Department has instituted a Heroin Interdiction Team, that will man the roadways in Fort Thomas specifically looking for impaired drivers and potential trafficking situations.

Fort Thomas' Heroin Interdiction Team, started on February 15. The team will be comprised of a three-officer patrol.


Whitford said that a Fort Thomas sergeant proposed the idea to Chief Mike Daly, after the success of Operation November Blitz in 2014.

"We've talked about for a while and we're implementing it with a dedicated team," said Whitford. "We think with the new heroin laws we have in place and dedicating this team, where the officers are strictly looking for this and not answering other calls, this shows what people in Fort Thomas think about the war on heroin."

Whitford said the first Heroin Interdiction Team will be in effect for about six weeks.

During Operation November Bliz, officers from 14 departments joined forces on I-471 for a one-day mission to send a message to heroin users and traffickers.

"Don't bring it here because you're going to get caught," said Dayton Police Chief, Scott O'Brien, who coordinated the operation.

Thirty-eight cars patrolled the highway, making traffic stops and looking for drugs. Whitford said the mission was very successful in sending a message and finding criminals who were motivated in one way or another by heroin.

"95% of every felony in Campbell County is related to heroin, be it burglary, robbery or trafficking," said Whitford. "We're literally dealing with this every night. We believe this is going to be effective."