Pubdate: Fri, 10 Jan 2003
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS)
Copyright: 2003 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html
Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805
Author: Sylvain Metz
Note: Staff writer Robert Schoenberger and Business Editor Scott Waller 
contributed to this report

MELTON'S SWEEPS CREATING CONCERN

MDOT Makes Big Bust; MBN Checks Driver's Licenses

The same day a dozen state narcotics agents were conducting a road block 
near the Capitol to check driver's licenses, officers with the Mississippi 
Department of Transportation were stopping an 18-wheeler carrying 600 
pounds of marijuana.

The MDOT seizure on I-20 near Meridian led to two felony drug arrests. Two 
Texas men were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.

The roadblock netted five misdemeanor drug arrests, and one person wanted 
by Jackson police was apprehended.

On Wednesday, during a speech before the Mississippi Economic Council, 
Frank Melton, the recently appointed director of the Mississippi Bureau of 
Narcotics, told his audience he needed to check everyone's driver's license 
before he left.

The comment, a reference to the MBN roadblocks Tuesday, drew laughter from 
the luncheon audience.

For Melton, however, his personal war on drugs is no laughing matter.

"They think I'm a loose cannon and that I may need to be in Whitfield," 
Melton said, referring to his critics. "But they're frightened."

Attorney General Mike Moore said, while he applauds Melton's enthusiasm, he 
plans to talk with him about what is and is not permissible.

"It's going to be a particular challenge on our part to make sure that we 
keep Frank between the lines of the law," Moore said.

Moore said he was concerned Melton, who has no law enforcement experience, 
was personally tapping on windows asking for driver's licenses.

"You must be a sworn law enforcement officer to stop to do driver's license 
checks," Moore said.

"The director of an agency can certainly supervise his men and women while 
they (conduct checks) but he shouldn't participate directly in law 
enforcement activities unless he is in fact a law enforcement officer."

Melton said he is undergoing training through the Jackson Police Department 
to earn certification.

But, he said, he won't take himself off the street.

"I'm going to be out there with those guys supporting them," he said.

Because of those sweeps Tuesday, lawmakers didn't have to drive through 
drug dealers and prostitutes to get to work, Melton said.

The constitutionality of those checks is also in question.

In November 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that random roadblocks 
intended for drug searches violated one's right against unreasonable search 
and seizure.

Moore said he could not comment on the ruling or whether it parallels with 
Tuesday's activities, because he was unfamiliar with the purpose of the 
roadblocks.

Melton said he believes he is within the law to conduct the sweeps. The 
sweeps, based on intelligence reports, were conducted "specifically to 
check for drugs and methamphetamines," Melton said, noting that chemicals 
needed to manufacture the drug are highly explosive.

For that reason, "methamphetamine frightens me," he said.

"I believe that Frank Melton is trying as hard as he can to draw some 
special attention to the drug problem in our state," Moore said. "I believe 
that he will use some unorthodox methods to do that."

Gov. Ronnie Musgrove appointed Melton, chief executive officer for TV-3 
Inc. Foundation, Dec. 4. Melton must be confirmed by the state Senate..
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