Pubdate: Sun, 03 Dec 2000
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2000 The New York Times Company
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Author: Laura Mansnerus

DRUG ROADBLOCKS BARRED

In the drug wars, police officers on traffic duty have been ground troops,
stopping and searching cars. The United States Supreme Court drew some
limits, ruling that stopping traffic at checkpoints to interdict drugs is
going too far. The offender was Indianapolis, where officers at roadblocks
checked drivers' licenses and registrations and had dogs sniff for drugs.
The court's 6- to-3 decision said the city's general interest in reducing
crime could not override the general rule that a police search requires some
ground for suspicion.
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