FALLS CITY - The Richardson County Sheriff’s Office released its 2022 report and results of its increased focus on drug investigations.

The sheriff’s office initiated 127 drug investigations, up from 72 in 2021. Deputies were granted 81 search warrants for 84 pieces of personal property, up from 50 in 2021.

Of the 81 search warrants, 14 residential searches resulted in 26 felony drug arrests.

Deputies seized methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, psilocybin mushrooms, ecstasy, marijuana, concentrated THC and other pills.

The release says methamphetamine continues to be a major focus with numerous arrests for distribution.

The sheriff says traffic stops are part of the proactivity. Deputies made 3,962 traffic stops, more than 500 more compared to the prior year. K9 deployments resulted in felony arrests for methamphetamine on multiple occasions.

There were 3,423 calls for service and 670 incident reports for various crimes including burglary, domestic violence, assault, fraud and stolen vehicles.

The report says deputies round out the year making hundreds of traffic stops in December.

A rash of property crimes included the theft of catalytic converters and stolen vehicles over the last three months of 2022.

An investigation by Richardson County deputies resulted in the identification of a theft ring. Five people have been charged with theft of catalytic converters and three stolen vehicles.