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. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart