Pubdate: Thu, 21 Apr 2005
Source: Republican, The (Springfield, MA)
Copyright: 2005 The Republican
Contact:  http://www.masslive.com/republican/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3075
Author: Betsy Calvert
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUG SWEEP NETS 38

A team of local police and state troopers rousted about 38 alleged
small-time drug dealers in Greenfield, Montague, Leverett, Colrain and
Bernardston yesterday starting at about 6 a.m., District Attorney Elizabeth
Scheibel announced at a press conference.

A half-dozen suspects were already in jail on other charges. Another
dozen or so suspects are due to be rounded up in the near future,
officials said, in the climax of the five-month Operation Slow Burn.
In all, 60 arrests are expected, with maximum sentences running 10
years for distribution of heroin and one-year minimum sentences for
distributing near a school zone.

Scheibel sat at a table with Montague Selectmen Chairwoman Patricia Allen
and Greenfield Mayor Christine Forgey. Behind them stood a dozen law
enforcement officers, most of whom had been up all night.

This was the biggest area drug sweep since a similar team of law
enforcement rounded up even more dealers in 1998. Back then, the
dealers were more blatant, dealing on the streets in front of
everyone, Greenfield Police Chief David Guilbault said. This time,
dealers were more discreet, operating out of back rooms, he said, but
the effect on neighborhoods and families is the same. "The sale of
drugs and their subsequent use have a profound effect on our
communities," Scheibel said in a statement. "Increased assaults,
robberies, burglaries and larcenies are just some of the crimes linked
to the illegal use and distribution of controlled substances."

Since December, undercover officers have been buying heroin, cocaine,
OxyContin, marijuana and psychotropic mushrooms from these dealers.
One hundred law enforcement officers were involved.

Most of the defendants are Franklin County born and bred, officials
said. A few had stronger ties to big cities, such as Springfield and
New York City. Forgey said this bust sends out a message about drug
dealing: "If people are coming here for that reason, they are not
welcome, and they won't last long." Guilbault said Operation Slow Burn
is not yet over, with more phases under way. He said he could not
elaborate, but that they address maintaining a high quality of life
for residents.

Asked about the strong demand for drugs, Scheibel said parents need to
know what their children are doing.

Most customers for drugs are in their teens and 20s, officers said.
Montague detective Lee Laster summed up the problem in one word -
boredom. That's where economic development plays a part, Forgey said,
bringing in higher-paying jobs and career opportunities.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin