Pubdate: Thu, 05 Sep 2002
Source: Montgomery Advertiser (AL)
Copyright: 2002sThe Advertiser Co.
Contact:  http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1088
Author: Marty Roney

DRUG OPERATION IS A WRAP

The Prattville Police Department has wrapped up a two-year undercover drug 
operation, making the final eight arrests in a campaign that generated 240 
cases against 122 individuals.

The last roundup came Tuesday. Of the 122 overall suspects, 90 were 
arrested on drug charges, and the remaining 32 will have their cases 
presented to the Autauga County Grand Jury, Police Chief Alfred Wadsworth said.

"The operation seized drugs with a street value of more than $557,000," 
Wadsworth said. "We also seized several firearms, which included handguns, 
sawed-off shotguns, assault rifles and bulletproof vests. Several other 
arrests involving higher-level drug distributors were also made in other 
jurisdictions resulting from cases made in Prattville."

The department isn't taking a breather. Several months ago it started 
another undercover operation that's yielding more criminal cases, Wadsworth 
said.

Those arrested in the most recently completed roundup face charges ranging 
from possession to trafficking in drugs. Many mid-to upper-level drug 
dealers were caught in the latest sweep, police say.

Deanna Perkins of Prattville applauds the department's efforts.

"You just wouldn't think there was that big a drug problem in Prattville. I 
guess it's because our crime rate is so low to begin with," Perkins said. 
"It's a shame this much effort has to be put into fighting drugs, but 
that's just the society we live in."

Assisting the Police Department were the Central Alabama Drug Task Force, 
the Alabama Beverage Control Board's Narcotics Division, the Drug 
Enforcement Administration, the Montgomery Police Department and the 
Autauga County Sheriff's Department.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart