Pubdate: Fri, 18 Oct 2002 Source: Racine Journal Times, The (WI) Copyright: 2002, The Racine Journal Times Contact: http://www.journaltimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1659 Author: Abe Winter METRO DRUG UNIT IN ON MORE THAN 400 ARRESTS THIS YEAR YORKVILLE -- The Racine County Metro Drug Unit has been a part of more than 400 arrests and the seizure of more than $1 million in drugs from January through September of this year. Those numbers were supplied by Sgt. Don Wheeler, who heads the Metro Drug Unit, at Monday's monthly meeting of the Greater Union Grove Area Chamber of Commerce held at Lori G's Pub on Durand Avenue. "If it's in Racine, it's here, too," said Wheeler, who has served on the Metro Drug Unit for just over two years. He has six detectives on staff. "It's all about money, and there's no shortage of (drugs) ... here, anywhere." Although Union Grove doesn't compare to the city of Racine in total drug use, it's comparable on a per-capita basis. "Percentage-wise, it's probably the same," said Wheeler, who cited national studies that indicate 18 percent of everyone over the age of 12 admitted to drug use. "Marijuana," he said, "is the most prevalent drug in America, outside of alcohol. But if you start with marijuana, eventually you're going to want to go up." Wheeler's slide show included photos of drug busts among the 45 search warrants already conducted in 2002. Some of the homes on the screen were in Racine, others around the county. One home had 221 marijuana plants. Another had 60 pounds of marijuana, two kilograms of cocaine, guns, and $98,000 in cash. One motor vehicle was found to have eight kilos of cocaine under its dash and two more elsewhere. "This isn't New York," Wheeler said, "this is right here in Racine." Besides cocaine and marijuana, Wheeler said crack, steroids, prescription drugs, ecstasy and more are being used by county residents. An ecstasy pill, for instance, is made for a nickel in The Netherlands, but will bring $5 in New York and anywhere from $20 to $40 here. A kilo of cocaine might be purchased in Texas or Mexico for $5,000, and sold here for up to $25,000. A pound of cocaine could bring $4,000. "It's out there," Wheeler said. "It's not hard to find." Wheeler also said it's fairly common for people to report drug use and sales regarding their ex-spouse, ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend. "They're more than happy to turn them in," he said. "A lot of people turn them in." However, it's not always that easy to catch the criminals. "These guys are hard to catch," Wheeler said. "They're street-smart." - --- MAP posted-by: Alex