United States Drug Enforcement Administration

PHILADELPHIA - Special Agent in Charge Gary Tuggle of the Drug Enforcement (DEA) announced today the Berks County area release of “Operation Trojan Horse,” which is a coordinated effort between the DEA and state and local law enforcement agencies to combat the current prescription opioid and heroin abuse epidemic. 

The DEA will host a training session on Wednesday for state and local law enforcement in and around Berks County.  The goal of this training is to educate law enforcement about the link between prescription opioid and heroin abuse.  Other topics include investigative techniques involving heroin and fentanyl cases, the regulation and criminal diversion of pharmaceutical controlled substances, and evidence collection at the scene of suspected fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses.  

The DEA’s “Operation Trojan Horse” will also provide state and local law enforcement agencies with funding and other resources about sources of supply for prescription opioids and heroin to assist them with furthering their own investigations.  

 “State and local law enforcement officers are often the first to respond at overdose scenes,” said Tuggle.  “Recognizing the need for immediate medical attention for the victim first, we want to train law enforcement to be cognizant of the evidence at the scene that may tell us where and from whom these drugs came.”  Tuggle added that approximately 120 people die each day in the United States from drug overdoses. 

The DEA will offer this one-day free training, which is for law enforcement personnel only, on June 22nd in the second floor auditorium of the Berks County Service Center located at 633 Court Street in Reading, Pennsylvania.  The training will begin at 9:00 a.m.              

Members of the media wanting additional information about “Operation Trojan Horse” or to attend this training are asked to contact DEA Public Information Officer/Special Agent Patrick J. Trainor at (215) 852-8740 or patrick.j.trainor@usdoj.gov.