Pubdate: Tue, 15 Jul 2003
Source: Round Rock Leader (TX)
Copyright: 2003 The Round Rock Leader
Contact:  http://www.rrleader.com/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/traffic.htm (Traffic)

DPS DRUG SEIZURES TOP $100 MILLION

For the third straight year, drug seizures by DPS troopers on traffic
patrol topped the $100 million mark.

According to 2002 statistics released today by the Traffic Law
Enforcement Division, DPS troopers intercepted illegal drugs valued at
$123.8 million while on normal patrol duty. Texas troopers have led
the nation in highway drug seizures for the last several years.

"Seizing drugs intended for someone's neighborhood is just one
positive byproduct of our normal patrol activities," said DPS Director
Col. Thomas A. Davis Jr. "In addition to arresting drunk drivers and
slowing down speeders, our traffic patrols put drug smugglers,
murderers and other criminals behind bars -- a big step forward in
making Texas a safer place."

Some of the highlights in 2002:

Heroin seizures of 86 pounds were a record for DPS
troopers.

The 1,780 drug arrests were the second highest in DPS
history.

Cocaine seizures topped one ton (2,202 pounds) worth an estimated
$90.1 million.

Troopers also confiscated more than 25 tons (50,908 pounds) of
marijuana.

All totaled, this year's drug seizures rank fourth in DPS
history.

In addition, DPS troopers arrested more than 17,000 people for a
variety of criminal violations, ranging from homicide to auto theft.
(Numbers exclude drug and alcohol-related arrests.)
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin