Pubdate: Sat, 13 Sep 2008
Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Copyright: 2008 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/mVLAxQfA
Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159
Author: Sallie James, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

SIX-MONTH SWEEP IN DANIA BEACH RESULTS IN 85 ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES

Cocaine-Selling Charges Filed Against 85 in Dania Beach Over 6 Months

DANIA BEACH - They worked the northwest and southwest sections of the 
city, hawking drugs on street corners and in alleyways in what they 
thought was anonymity.

But for months, hidden cameras had been recording their drug sales.

On Friday, the Broward Sheriff's Office announced charges against 85 
alleged crack cocaine dealers as part of a six-month investigation 
called "Operation Street Sweeper."

Ranging in age from 14 to 62, the suspects are accused of selling 
drugs to undercover deputies 220 times, with one dealer returning on 
13 separate occasions.

The suspects include 10 juveniles and eight women, Sheriff Al Lamberti said.

As of Friday morning, 61 were in custody. They will face charges of 
delivery of cocaine, a second-degree felony.

All the suspects are residents of Dania Beach. All were videotaped 
selling drugs in about a four-square mile area.

Based on the 29,000 people who live in Dania Beach, according to 
Mayor Al Jones, the breakdown is about one crack dealer for every 341 
residents.

"This is a lot of drug dealers," Sheriff's Sgt. Ed Oman said during a 
Friday news conference, where mug shots of the accused were displayed 
on bulletin boards.

"That's why we let this go for six months. These people don't have 
regular jobs. They go out every day and stand on their street corner 
and sell crack."

The arrests were made in coordination with the U.S. Drug Enforcement 
Administration.

Most of the tips came from Dania Beach residents who were fed up with 
crime, Oman said.

The undercover deputies would typically stop their cars in front of 
the dealers, be offered a quantity of crack, then pay for the drug 
and drive away.

"We can only be elated that [the Sheriff's Office] is doing their 
job," Jones said. "These are hard times we live in and people do 
desperate things."

Oman, who ran the drug operation, said many of the dealers stored the 
crack rocks in their mouths, a practice recorded on surveillance 
video. In a pinch, the dealers dispose of the illegal drug by 
swallowing it, Oman said.

The investigation resulted in three federal cases, which involved the 
sale of an ounce or more of cocaine.

Federal charges result in stricter sentences of up to 40 years, Oman said.

Years ago, undercover officers blew their cover when they chased drug 
dealers, Lamberti said.

Today, surveillance video records drug transactions. Deputies can 
maintain their anonymity, Lamberti said.
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