Pubdate: Sat, 17 Apr 2004
Source: Sun News (Myrtle Beach, SC)
Copyright: 2004 Sun Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/sunnews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/987
Note: apparent 150 word limit on LTEs

GUMPTION AT DEA

Failed Drug Raid Wasn't Total Loss

You have to admire the gumption of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration 
and its associates in the Horry County, Atlantic Beach and North Myrtle 
Beach police departments. Officers from the agencies came up dry Thursday 
in their drug-paraphernalia raid on the 4:20 Superstore in Atlantic Beach, 
having apparently been given bum information. At that point, most other 
government folks (a line of work not known for creativity) would have said, 
"Well, that didn't work out," and left the scene.

Instead, the drug agents said, "Hey, we have those drug-sniffing dogs from 
the NMB canine unit with us. As long as we're here, why not search some 
cars at random?" Not even the knowledge that the U.S. Supreme Court is 
considering a case with potential to ban warrantless, no-probable-cause 
random canine searches of motor vehicles could deter these intrepid law 
enforcers from seeking something to show for their efforts.

This extra initiative netted three arrests under S.C. law (the officers 
found nothing that violates federal drug laws) for possession of controlled 
substances. True, the searches could also net the agencies in question 
American Civil Liberties Union lawsuits for violation of the Fourth 
Amendment prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures. But 
perhaps the drug agents figured that even if the drug busts get overturned, 
their agencies still would look good. Lots of folks hate the ACLU.

We'll all sleep better knowing that the DEA and its local affiliates are 
sweeping small-time drug users off the streets. Right?
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager