To help meet its $340,151 budget this upcoming year, the Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit will receive $186,163 from the Byrne-Jag Assistance Grant, a federal program that funds state narcotics agencies.

In past years, the unit has received the grant in amounts ranging from $85,000 to $140,000.

“This will help keep us running for another budget year,” said Metro Narcotics Commander Searn Lynch.

The University of Mississippi, the city of Oxford and Lafayette County all contribute $75,000 each to help support the unit that works to solve drug-related crimes in the entire area and isn’t confined within city or county jurisdictions.

Earlier this year, the university announced it was considering backing out of the interlocal agreement because of budget restraints, but UM officials later decided to continue to support the unit for another year.

The unit has several investigations going on right now, and Lynch said he hopes to have some of these “wrapped up” by the first of the year.

“Drug use in the area remains consistent,” said Lynch, who has been commander for three years.

Marijuana sales have risen recently, as well as the quality of the drug, he said.

“We’re seeing a lot of hydroponically grown marijuana,” Lynch said. “It’s more expensive and the THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) level has grown.”