MARYVILLE, Mo. -- Criminals rarely pay attention to county lines, and neither did nine northwestern Missouri sheriffs who decided a few years ago to work together to pursue those who make and sell narcotics.

A lack of money ultimately doomed the Northwest Missouri Narcotics Enforcement Team, which disbanded in January 2001 after producing several dozen arrests but also sticking some counties with large bills.

Now, the multicounty approach to fighting the rural drug trade is being revived, this time with federal help.

Sixteen counties will be served by NITRO, the Northwest Missouri Interagency Team Response Operation recently announced by U.S. Attorney Todd Graves.

NITRO will serve Andrew, Atchison, Caldwell, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Putnam, Sullivan and Worth counties.