Amador County – Law enforcement agencies regularly join forces at the Preston Youth Correctional Facility in Ione and Saturday was no different, despite a looming threat of closure of the facility.

Ione Police Chief Michael L. Johnson said Monday that “law enforcement efforts continue on the state grounds in the spirit of helping protect the community and maintaining the long standing professionalism at the institution.”

Regular partners, the Ione Police Department, Amador County Combined Narcotics Enforcement Team, and the Preston Tactical Team collectively organized a visitor search detail Saturday “to intercept illegal drugs, contraband, and address other violations occurring on the state property,” Johnson said.

Preston, like other California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facilities, is tasked with responsibilities of keeping drugs and other contraband from entering their facility, Johnson said. “The task requires diligence in the correctional officers’ efforts to screen, interview, search, and always keep a watchful eye on both the wards and the incoming visitors.”

The grounds are clearly posted with signs warning visitors that all entries on the property are subject to search of their person, vehicle, and personal property. At random times and dates each year, law enforcement details are organized to search all incoming vehicle and people as a matter of compliance checks to maintain the integrity of the institution, Johnson said. The combined agency effort is a “no tolerance” approach to those who attempt to introduce prohibited items into the facility via visitation.

Johnson said in total on Saturday, “two adults were arrested for being under the influence and in possession of methamphetamine, three vehicles were towed, marijuana was seized, drug paraphernalia was discovered and a Taser was confiscated.” He said in addition, “suspended and unlicensed drivers were cited, gang intelligence was intercepted, and several of the visitations were cancelled due to administrative action pursuant to discoveries in the searches.”

Johnson said Ione police drug enforcement agents of the county Combined Narcotics team typically “provide support to the operation by handling the criminal matters that are discovered during the searches.” IPD’s narcotics detection K-9 “Hawke” conducts numerous vehicle searches and locates concealed drugs.

“The operation was a success and a tribute to the Preston facility and staff,” Johnson said, and even as “personnel at the facility are working under the duress of displacement, layoffs, and for some, termination of employment, the dedication and commitment to duty was without flaw.”

He said the “Ione Community is grateful for their contributions.”

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