Pubdate: Fri, 11 Sep 2009
Source: Gwinnett Daily Post, The (GA)
Copyright: 2009 Post-Citizen Media Inc.
Contact:  http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2480
Author: Josh Green, Staff Writer

AGENCIES GET $2.1 MILLION IN DRUG CASH

LAWRENCEVILLE - Drug runners inadvertently made a $2.1 million
contribution Thursday to two local agencies bent on bringing them down.

Federal officials presented Lawrenceville police and the Gwinnett
County Sheriff's Department with checks symbolizing the fruits of an
18-month, multi-agency investigation dubbed "Operation Grand Finale,"
which disrupted a major cell of Mexico's notorious Gulf Cartel,
officials said.

The operation resulted in 16 federal arrests and the seizure of $3.5
million, 219 pounds of methamphetamine and more than a half ton of
cocaine, officials said.

About $60 million in bulk cash proceeds has been captured since the
formation of a special metro-wide strike force in 2007 that involves
both local agencies, said FBI special agent in charge Gregory Jones.

With the aide of wiretaps and informants, the recent operation brought
down several kingpins importing drugs from Mexico, Jones said.

"We see the trickle-down effect on the streets from gangs selling and
distributing on a local level," Jones said.

The seized cash will help the local departments fill budgetary gaps
left by a soured economy. State and federal laws restrict departments
from using the money to fund salaries.

Portions of the proceed payments - totaling $1.2 million to
Lawrenceville police, and $932,000 to the Sheriff's Department - had
been previously awarded.

Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Mike Boyd said the money hasn't been
earmarked for a specific purpose but should help buy fresh weapons and
equipment otherwise paid for with tax dollars.

"We'll evaluate our needs," Boyd said.

Lawrenceville police Chief Randy Johnson said his department used the
first installment of cash to buy six fully equipped Chevy Tahoes and
to beef up a computer system in the under-construction headquarters,
scheduled to open in March.

Johnson hopes to someday equip the department with a state-of-the-art
training facility, paid for with drug proceeds, he said.

Lawrenceville Mayor Rex Millsaps, also in attendance, said he'll
welcome the eradication of cartel minions in his city, but "until that
day comes, we'll keep spending their money," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr