LAKE PARK — Regional law enforcement officers gathered in Lake Park for a three-day seminar to share information and gain insight into new trends in drug interdiction.

The bi-annual event, which was started by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office in 1993 shortly after the Interstate Criminal Enforcement Team was started, attracts law enforcement officials from throughout Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, according to Lt. Jim Hightower, who is in charge of the county’s ICE Team.

This year, approximately 140 patrol, narcotic and interstate officers received in-class and hands-on instruction and demonstrations from professionals in a number of areas. Representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigations gave instruction on how to look for terrorists and how to recognize terroristic activity. Area prosecutors also offered information on current case laws to update officers on the operation of the criminal justice system, according to Hightower.

The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office provided seized vehicles, which were on display to demonstrate the types of mechanisms used by criminals to traffic drugs, money and weapons. Each of the eight vehicles was equipped with highly sophisticated electronic compartments that would open once activated to reveal hidden areas. These compartments are often unrecognizable to the untrained eye, but demonstrations and instruction were provided to offer techniques for locating the compartments and to make the officers more aware of the trends in the drug trade.

Hightower added that while the seminar is highly beneficial to those officers who attend, the local community can also reap some benefit from the three-day event. More than 60 percent of the officers who attend utilize local hotels and restaurants, bringing an economic boost to the area.