cannabisnews.com: 31 Arrests Planned in Downtown Drug Sales!





31 Arrests Planned in Downtown Drug Sales!
Posted by FoM on April 11, 1999 at 10:18:39 PT
Source: JS Online
 Drawing a close to more than a year's worth of undercover work, local law enforcement officials on Friday began arresting 31 people accused of selling drugs in downtown Waukesha and elsewhere. "This is a major undercover investigation that's been going on for 12 to 15 months," Waukesha County District Attorney Paul Bucher said. "We've been working on these cases and have accumulated them and are conducting a major sweep." 
Undercover officers from the Waukesha County Metro Drug Enforcement Group repeatedly attempted to purchase narcotics in Waukesha and in other county communities and found the task too easy, Bucher said. "The individuals were ready, willing and able to sell us controlled substances," Bucher said. The Como Hotel, at 116 E. St. Paul Ave. in downtown Waukesha, was one area where drugs were nearly always readily available, he said. "This is the second sweep in a year that we've done in that area, indicating the ease of purchasing controlled substances there," Bucher said, referring to the downtown area. Waukesha city officials have been concerned about the high level of drug dealing occurring downtown. They say they are optimistic that current and future efforts to redevelop the area will help clear out the crime. Police have warned that crack cocaine has become a serious enough problem downtown that it could discourage redevelopment if not kept in check. Waukesha police Capt. Mike Babe said Friday that although the 31 arrests will have an impact on the area's drug traffic, it won't be long before those people are replaced by others. "It's just like any other crime, if we arrest a bunch . . . it seems like someone takes their place," Babe said. Bucher, who was assisting with the arrest efforts, said he expected about 20 of the 31 people to be arrested by Saturday. The remainder will continue to be sought on arrest warrants that have been issued. Law enforcement officials planned to make many of the arrests within the same day to avoid having the word get out, giving others time to flee, he said. Those arrested are accused of possession with intent to deliver and possession of crack cocaine, powdered cocaine, marijuana and heroin. In recent years, crack cocaine has become the most widely used illegal drug in Waukesha County, officials have said. The undercover work included numerous businesses, apartments and residences. The investigations will continue, and more arrests are likely in the future, authorities said. In the past, officers have made many of their narcotics arrests in the area near Madison St. and St. Paul Ave. The transient population there, the nearby taverns and easy access to I-94 from downtown all contribute to the drug activity, officials said. At this rate we'll need to build more prisons!What good will that do us or those who are using the drugs?
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