Drug dealers in west Alabama may want to consider a new career. Gov. Robert Bentley announced Tuesday that he has awarded a $145,000 grant to fund a specialized task force to fight drugs in Marengo, Greene and Sumter counties.

Bentley notified Demopolis Mayor Mike Grayson that the grant had been approved. The city is the fiscal agent for the grant.

The 17th Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force was activated June 20 and is currently staffed by an office administrator and two agents.

The agents, who strictly work drug cases and assignments, report to a board of directors that includes Livingston Chief of Police Ashley Welborn, York Chief of Police Brian Harris, District Attorney for the 17th Judicial District Greg Griggers and Demopolis Police Chief Tommie Reese.

“The chiefs of police and sheriffs of the 17th Judicial Circuit got together and met, and we decided that we needed a drug task force,” said Reese, who wrote the grant and serves as Project Coordinator for the Task Force. “Demopolis was chosen as a funding source because it was the closest city to the District Attorney’s office.”

The drug task force will investigate, arrest and prosecute drug offenders in the tri-county area, as well as work with other state and federal law enforcement agencies to battle the influx of drugs in the area.

Griggers will serve as the task force’s Chairman of the Board and the agents will receive assignments from the task force commander who reports to the Board of Directors.