Pubdate: Sat, 04 Mar 2000
Source: Ledger-Enquirer (GA)
Copyright: 2000 Ledger-Enquirer
Contact:  P.O. Box 711, Columbus, GA 31902-0711
Website: http://www.l-e-o.com/
Author: S. Thorne Harper

SPRING BREAK OR BUST

Narcotics officers busted 22 spring breakers and others carrying illegal
drugs at a checkpoint along Interstate 185 in Columbus Friday.

Operating from a checkpoint in the southbound lanes of the interstate
between the Smith and Williams roads exits, officers from the Metro
Narcotics Task Force seized undisclosed quantities of illegal narcotics --
primarily marijuana -- and two automobiles, along with an undisclosed
amount of cash, said Columbus police Capt. J.D. Hawk, who heads the task
force.

"We do this periodically," Hawk said. "But, this time of year, a lot of
people are traveling from the north going to the beach and spring break. It
sends the message that, if you come through here with your drugs, you stand
a good chance of going to jail."

Officers also cited motorists for DUI, seat belt violations and other
traffic offenses, Hawk said. The bulk of the arrests involved motorists
heading to Florida and on spring break.

Waiting outside the Muscogee County Jail, three young men from
Douglasville, Ga., waited for a friend -- arrested at the checkpoint on a
misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession -- to make bond.

A 23-year-old member of the group would not give his name but said he and
the three friends were headed to Panama City for spring break.

"He saw the sign and pulled over so he could hide the stuff," he said.
"They must have had people out in the woods or something who saw him."

The task force was assisted by the Georgia Department of Transportation,
which set up pylons to force motorists into a single lane. At the crest of
a hill, motorists were warned that a drug search check-point lie ahead.

Hawk would not reveal how officers identify those suspected of having
illegal narcotics but said several methods were employed.

"We use different methods -- random and probable cause, but we're not using
the profile method out here," Hawk said.

The Metro Narcotics Task Force is composed of sheriff's deputies and police
officers from the Russell County Sheriff's Department, Phenix City Police
Department, the Muscogee County Sheriff's Department and the Bibb City and
Columbus police departments.

A U.S. Army drug suppression team and canine unit from Fort Benning also
participated in the operation.

Drug forfeiture laws provide authorities with federal funding based on a
percentage of the street value of drugs seized. Those laws also provide law
enforcement agencies with money from auctions of automobiles and other
seized property.

The task force set up a roadside tent used as a temporary booking and
holding unit.

Once processed, those arrested were transported by van to the county jail.

Hawk said the drug check would continue today at an undisclosed location.
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