Pubdate: Fri, 20 Feb 2004
Source: Spokesman-Review (WA)
Copyright: 2004 The Spokesman-Review
Contact:  http://www.spokesmanreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/417
Author: Thomas Clouse, Staff writer
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our editors 
may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who have not been 
convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise public figures or 
officials.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)

FIVE ARRESTED IN DRUG SWEEP

Police Raids Target Cocaine Trade

In a show of force designed both to make drug arrests and to send a message 
to area gangs, a group of detectives from three agencies raided three homes 
Thursday morning.

A group of 30 law enforcement officials from the city, county and state 
gathered at 6a.m. and were briefed about the raids -- two in Spokane and 
one in Spokane Valley.

The heavily armored officers, led by detectives from the Spokane County 
Sheriff's Office, battered down three doors and arrested five of the six 
suspects they were seeking.

"Just because we have been dealing with a crush of methamphetamine the last 
two years does not mean that cocaine has gone away," sheriff's spokesman 
Cpl. Dave Reagan said.

"And people who would come into our area and try to ply the drug trade will 
receive their share of attention from law enforcement agencies," he said.

[NAMES DELETED] were arrested Thursday at the raid at [ADDRESS DELETED], 
Reagan said.

[NAMES DELETED] - who goes by the street name "Li'l Homicide" - were booked 
on three counts each of delivery and two counts of possession of a 
controlled substance, Reagan said.

[NAME DELETED]' three children, who were in the apartment at the time, were 
turned over to Child Protective Services.

The second raid hit [ADDRESS DELETED], where detectives arrested [NAMES 
DELETED]

Both suspects were booked into jail on a single count each of delivery of a 
controlled substance. [NAME DELETED]'s child also was turned over to CPS, 
Reagan said.

The caravan of six vehicles then drove to the South Hill and raided 
apartment [ADDRESS DELETED].

Detectives arrested [NAME DELETED] on a detainer from the State Department 
of Corrections.

During a search of [NAME DELETED]'s apartment, Washington State Patrol 
Trooper Nick Girard and his drug dog helped detectives find a quarter-ounce 
of crack cocaine, Reagan said.

All the suspects arrested Thursday were either confirmed gang members or 
gang associates, Reagan said.

Spokane has been a magnet for gang members who travel from California to 
trade cocaine here for "B.C. bud," or Canadian marijuana. The gang members 
get a better price for the marijuana in California, Reagan said.

"There is so much violence associated with the drug trade, especially with 
gangs," Reagan said. "You can't let that activity go unchecked or it gets 
out of hand very rapidly.

"That's happened in other areas of the country and we're not going to let 
that happen here."
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake