Pubdate: Thu, 01 Dec 2005 Source: Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC) Copyright: 2005 The Herald-Sun Contact: http://www.herald-sun.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1428 Author: Lovemore Masakadza Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids) POLICE STEP UP RAIDS AND SEIZE MORE DRUGS DURHAM -- Durham police have raided more homes, filed more charges and seized more illegal drugs this year compared to last, and one official believes that is because the pipeline for illegal narcotics is growing. The stepped-up enforcement also is tied to a greater willingness among residents to report illegal substances being trafficked in their neighborhoods, said Capt. Lee Russ of the Durham Police Department's Special Operations Division. From January through October this year, the Special Operations Division conducted 186 drug raids, compared to 139 all of last year. Police seized 222 pounds of cocaine through October, compared to 83 pounds all of last year. Police confiscated 4,721 pounds of marijuana in the first 10 months of this year, compared to 980 pounds over all 12 months last year. And 14.6 ounces of heroine were taken into evidence through October, compared to 2.8 ounces all of last year. The higher quantities of drugs seized came with a corresponding boost in the number of drug charges -- 1,632 through the first 10 months this year compared to 1,299 from January through December last year. Russ credited the community with registering complaints to police that led to some illegal narcotics operations. "The community is one of our biggest partners," he said. As to why more drugs are being seized, Russ said that could be due to more drugs coming into the city than last year. According to Russ, most of the drugs flooding into Durham come from Texas after being smuggled over the Mexican border. But seizures were not up in all drug categories. Through all of last year police confiscated 1,924 dosage units of other drugs, which are typical prescription drugs, but only 1,087 were seized by October this year. Police seized 417 dosages units of Ecstasy last year compared to 318 through October this year. Drug raids have been concentrated in the eastern part of the city, but Russ said raids have been conducted throughout Durham and he does not consider any part of the city to be awash in drug activity. "Probably, the most important thing that a drug raid accomplishes is the restoring of control to the citizens who have been adversely affected by the drug dealers," Russ said. It restores a higher quality of life and also leads to fewer crimes related to the drug trade, he said. Drug raids at rental houses highlight the illegal activity to property managers and gives them a tool to remove the tenants, Russ said. There have been several occasions this year in which property managers evicted tenants using rental houses for drug activities. Ken Gasch, a member of Partners Against Crime District 2 (PAC 2), has been a leading figure in the fight against drug dealers. He has been vocal in calling for their eviction from drug houses and hopes more community backlash will evolve. "What the police are doing to the community is wonderful, and what the community is doing to the community is wonderful," Gasch said. He said neighbors now realize that they don't have to live with drug dealers in their midst and are making reports to the police. Russ said the Special Operations Division is sending a message to drug dealers through its enforcement. Drug dealers have to be lucky all the time to operate "and we only have to be lucky one time," Russ said. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman