Pubdate: Thu, 23 Dec 2004
Source: Shelby Star, The (NC)
Copyright: 2004sThe Shelby Star
Contact:  http://www.shelbystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1722
Author: Megan Ward, Star Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS LEAD LAW ON DRUG SWEEP

KINGS MOUNTAIN - About a dozen suspected drug dealers sat bleary eyed
in the fingerprinting and processing room at Kings Mountain Police
Department Wednesday morning.

Officers filed out into the streets to round up the suspects as they
concluded a long investigation named "Operation Sleigh Ride." Officers
knocked on doors, woke up suspects and piled them into patrol cars.

At the same time, Cleveland County Sheriff's deputies were out in the
county doing their own roundup. They called theirs "Operation Fresh
Start."

The two agencies coordinated their roundups with the county jail,
which staffed extra personnel, additional magistrates and other court
officials.

Each agency arrested 11 suspects & most of them by lunchtime
Wednesday. Combined, the total charges reached 96.

"We're not done yet," Kings Mountain Police Chief Melvin Proctor said
at a news conference at the police department Wednesday. "They need to
quit this mess. We're going to put them in jail or they're
going to have to leave the county."

More arrests are expected, some for state charges and some federal
charges.

Those arrested Wednesday were lower-level, street dealers, said
Cleveland County Sheriff Raymond Hamrick.

"They are the ones we get the most complaints about," he
said.

Lt. Joel Shores, who heads narcotics for the sheriff's office, said
neighbors always notice high traffic areas for drugs.

"People see more traffic with them," he said. "They'll sit up at a
house and traffic will go in and out 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

They sell crack, powder cocaine, marijuana and narcotics, he
said.

Proctor said all of those wanted in the sweep had either sold drugs to
an undercover officer or were involved with the sale as it was happening.

Kings Mountain's violent crime numbers are down from the last few
years, Proctor said, and he credits that to community involvement and
drug arrests.

People call the police department and report where drug activity is
happening. One resident called officers to her home and showed them a
video of people selling drugs in her neighborhood, Proctor said.

In 1996, the department received 78 drug complaint calls. Through the
years those calls have increased. This year, the department received
262 calls.

"I'm proud of those numbers," Proctor said. "I'm proud of those people
who stepped forward to help."
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