Pubdate: Mon, 02 Jul 2001 Source: Herald, The (SC) Copyright: 2001 The Herald Contact: http://www.heraldonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/369 Author: Jason Cato Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids) WEEKEND STING NETS 70 ARRESTS CHESTER - Chester County Sheriff's Department officials reported that they arrested 70 people during the weekend in the largest drug bust in county history. Friday proved to be the most fruitful day of Operation Genesis, when law enforcement officers made more than 50 arrests and netted $50,000 in crack cocaine, $9,000 in cash, three vehicles, 4 ounces of marijuana and $20,000 in additional property, including a number of firearms and cellular phones. "This was great for morale," said Chester County Detention Center Administrative Lt. Eric Schmid. "We were put under a lot of stress this weekend, but we pulled together and operated like a team." Officers with the Chester County Drug Enforcement Unit simultaneously raided five houses at 6:30 a.m. Friday. Officers then spent the rest of the weekend searching for more than 90 individuals charged with drugs offenses ranging from distribution to simple possession. Sheriff Robby Benson said his department had been conducting the undercover operation since he took office in January. Part of his political platform was to reduce the county's drug problem and crime rate. Other agencies that participated in the drug bust included Union Public Safety, the Fairfield County Sheriff's Department, Winnsboro Public Safety and the S.C. Department of Probation and Parole in York and Chester counties. According to the Chester County Sheriff's Department, about 20 more arrests are expected to be made before the operation is complete. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe