Pubdate: Sun, 30 Jan 2000 Source: Glenwood Post (CO) Copyright: 2000 Western Slope Publishing Group Contact: http://www.searchcolorado.com/glenwood/ Author: Bill Craig Editor's Note: TRIDENT is a multi agency drug unit in Colorado TRIDENT ARRESTS DOUBLE IN 1999 GLENWOOD SPRINGS -- Since local officials assumed control over the Two Rivers Drug Enforcement Team in late 1998, arrests have more than doubled and confiscation of drug-related currency increased seven-fold, District Attorney Mac Myers of the Ninth Judicial District announced Friday. TRIDENT, the drug enforcement task force with members from agencies in Garfield and Rio Blanco counties, and the police departments of Carbondale, Glenwood, Rifle and Basalt, stepped up its patrols toward the end of 1998 after severing ties with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which had overseen the force. By making the task force strictly a local operation, TRIDENT sought to go after street-level drug activity, something the old TRIDENT did not do, going instead after high profile and regional dealers. In 1999, TRIDENT agents made 131 drug arrests, more than doubling the 63 arrests made in 1998. In 1999, TRIDENT officers seized 1,590 grams of cocaine, 289 grams of methamphetamine, more than 67 pounds of marijuana, 164 marijuana plants and 13 ounces of psilocybin mushrooms. In all, the cache of drugs had a street value of more than $400,000. TRIDENT officers also seized $72,840 in cash, nine vehicles, assorted weaponry, including a AK-47, a night-vision scope and assorted small arms and even a karaoke machine wherein drug dealers had hidden $7,500 wrapped in tin foil--the proceeds of drug distribution. Myers said confiscated weapons that member agencies do not use for official police business are destroyed. Myers added that the agency cannot confiscate someone's money or property simply based on suspicion that it is connected with drug operations. A judge reviews the prosecution's claims that the property was drug-connected. If a judge rules in favor of the prosecution, TRIDENT officers and police departments use the money for trainingofficers, purchasing equipment and upgrading computer systems. Myers said it would not make sense for the court to just punish a drug dealer without taking away their equipment that helps them in their dealing. "This is the fruit of their drug trade," Myers said. In 1998, the Ninth Judicial District Attorney's office netted 70 convictions -- 15 for distribution of cocaine, five for distribution of marijuana, 18 for possession of cocaine, seven for possession of marijuana and one for possession of methamphetamine. Additionally, two people were convicted for possession of hallucinogenic drugs, one for cultivation of marijuana and 16 for other convictions. Conviction totals for 1999 have not yet been released as some of last year's cases still need to be resolved in court. Myers, who also serves as TRIDENT's chairman, said the agency's first year's successes have given it a reputation member officers can only build upon. "We are always looking betters ways to do what we do," Myers said. He added that with an increased number of arrests, once skeptical police departments and individuals are helping to combat drug dealing in the region by calling in tips. "It used to be the phone never rang," Myers said. The D.A. said the battle of fighting drug use and distribution can begin with people instructing their children on the dangers of drugs and getting their friends and relatives to kick the habit. Myers called the prosecution of drug offenders the "personal tragedies of addiction." "There's that whole other side," Myers said. "We can try to recognize the impact upon the community." In addition to the increased numbers of arrests and forfeitures last year, a few occurrences of TRIDENT-related drug enforcement stood out. David Roy Henderson, 28, of Rifle was sentenced on Nov. 9 to 9 and 1/2 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to cocaine distribution and violating bond conditions. Henderson was arrested on three separate occasions in his Rifle home over a three-month period by TRIDENT officers. On May 26, Carbondale residents Blanca Isiordia Flores, 26 and Jose Alfredo Verra Figuroa, 22, both received five-year sentences for drug distribution. The D.A.'s office argued that the couple's 7-year-old daughter served as an interpreter for a drug transaction, although a defense attorney argued that never happened. On Sept. 29, TRIDENT officers wearing ski masks, burst into a Rifle woman's apartment. An informant told the officers that drug dealing was taking place inside the apartment. The information turned out to be false. TRIDENT officers apologized to the woman and offered to pay for any damage they might have caused to the apartment door. - --- MAP posted-by: Allan Wilkinson