Pubdate: Fri, 07 Jul 2006
Source: Clovis News Journal (NM)
Copyright: 2006, Freedom Newspapers of NM
Contact:  http://www.clovis-news-nm.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2994
Author: Tony Parra, Freedom Newspapers
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

PORTALES POLICE MAKING MORE COCAINE ARRESTS

PORTALES -- The number of cocaine-related arrests is on the rise, 
according to Portales Police officials.

Portales Police Capt. Lonnie Berry gave some examples: n A recent 
drug bust near the city park uncovered 50 to 54 baggies of prepackaged cocaine.

n A search warrant executed May 27 netted several arrested and the 
recovery of 60 grams of cocaine.

n In April, an ounce of crack cocaine was seized.

Portales Police Department Chief Jeff Gill said 129 individuals have 
been arrested on drug-related charges since May 2005, and the more 
prevalent drug in those arrests is cocaine.

Berry said police officers have seen this trend more in the last 
couple of months, although the arrests weren't broken down for each 
narcotic category.

"There is a growing trend of cocaine arrests we are finding now 
because methamphetamine arrests are going through a downward trend 
because of Meth Watch and other programs," Gill said.

The Meth Watch Program was passed through a county ordinance in 
September and went into effect shortly thereafter. The ordinance 
restricts sale of decongestants containing pseudoephedrine, which can 
be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Portales police don't have concrete answers for the increased 
presence of cocaine.

"The availability is the number-one factor," Berry said. "It all 
depends on how much meth or cocaine is available on the market."

Berry said through suspect questioning and working with other law 
agencies, police officers are discovering most of the cocaine is 
coming from south of the border and meth is coming from Arizona and California.

Ninth Judicial District Attorney Matt Chandler said increased law 
enforcement, Meth Watch programs and community awareness have helped 
decrease the number of meth labs in Curry and Roosevelt counties. 
Chandler said since March 2005, only one meth lab has been identified 
in the district (Roosevelt and Curry counties). Chandler said in 2004 
police found 10 meth labs.

"We in the DA's office have zero-tolerance for drug trafficking," 
Chandler said. "The goal is to try to stop all drug trafficking to 
the community by sending them to prison."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman