Cleveland Seeks Grant for Narcotics and Laundering Task Force

The Cleveland Department of Public Safety is seeking to secure state funding to support local drug enforcement efforts through emergency ordinance 1363-2026. This measure would allow the Director of Public Safety to apply for and accept a grant from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services to fund the operation of the Cartel Gang Narcotics and Laundering Task Force.

What's in the file

The legislation authorizes the city to accept the FY 2026 State Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for a project period running from 2027-01-01 to 2027-12-31. According to the 1363-2026-A File, the project focuses on the "Cartel Gang Narcotics & Laundering Task Force" under the drug task forces program area.

The grant application requests a total of $149,994.93 in funds from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, with no required cash or in-kind matches from the city. The budget for the task force is categorized as follows:

Resource & Cost CategoryOCJS Funds
Personnel$24,993.63
Consultants/Contracts$25,001.30
Travel$10,000.00
Equipment$47,000.00
Supplies$500.00
Other Costs$5,500.00
Confidential Funds$37,000.00

The task force has a history of high-profile activity, including a recent operation where the FBI Cleveland Cartel Gang Narcotics and Laundering Task Force seized 88 pounds of suspected fentanyl and other narcotics News5 Cleveland.

Who may be affected

Status and timeline

The ordinance is currently moving through the City Council.

2026-11-05: The emergency ordinance was introduced and received its first reading.

Residents can verify all information regarding this grant and the proposed budget by reviewing the official source record.

Source record

File
1363-2026
Type
Emergency Ordinance
Status
First Reading
Committee
City Council
Introduced
November 4, 2026

View on Cleveland Legistar

Official documents

Sources