Bo Hudson Presented With DEA Credentials

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Arkansas - December 17, 2022 - As drug trafficking increased nationwide, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recognized the need for cooperation and coordination of drug enforcement efforts with their state and local counterparts.  Among other things, this cooperation provided several advantages to all participating agencies, including DEA's ability to draw on the expertise of state of local law enforcement and share resources. The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, provides assistance to Federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. This grant program is administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.  Jefferson County received its HIDTA distinction in 2007 and committed resources in the form of personnel whom they assigned to DEA in an effort to respond to the drug trafficking problem in the area, thereby indicating a determination to respond aggressively to the problem.   Jimmy F. "Bo" Hudson, Jr., who was promoted to sergeant by Sheriff Lafayette Woods, Jr. and reassigned to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Internal Affairs Division earlier this year was one of two (2) Task Force Officers previously assigned to the DEA Little Rock District Office honored with their retired DEA Credentials during a brief ceremony held this week at DEA's Little Rock District Office (LRDO). "It was both an honor and privilege to have served with the many DEA Agents and Task Force Officers (TFO) assigned to the DEA Little Rock Office," said Sergeant Hudson. "My time at DEA was invaluable and afforded me the opportunity to broaden my knowledge concerning large scale…