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