Pubdate: Mon, 06 Oct 2003
Source: Paris News (TX)
Copyright: 2003 Paris News
Contact:  http://www.theparisnews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/997
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

A BATTLE WON IN AN ONGOING WAR

Paris is a safer place to live and work, at least for now, because
Operation Clean Sweep removed 26 people who may have been involved in
the sale of methamphetamine, crack cocaine or illegal firearms. We
applaud the cooperative efforts of the judicial and law enforcement
agencies that resulted in the indictments and arrests.

We like what Matthew Orwig, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of
Texas had to say when he commented, "A lot of people -- many, many
defendants -- will be taken off the streets for a very long time."
That's exactly what needed to happen to give local law enforcement
officers a chance to get a handle on the drug problem in this city and
county. Last year, the Paris Police Department made 400 drug-related
arrests, and our guess is that the number could be even higher this
year. However, most of those arrests didn't keep dealers off the
street very long. By using federal statues in Operation Clean Sweep,
those found to be guilty as charged will be spending a lot time behind
bars. In many case, life sentences with fines of up to $4 million are
possible.

Much credit should go to Lamar County Attorney Mark Burtner and
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime Pena. It was a conversation between
these two prosecutors that resulted in so many law enforcement and
judicial agencies coming together to target those who sell drugs and
firearms.

"Illegal drug trafficking is not going to be tolerated, " Burtner
said, noting that in three months many of those arrested should be
tried and in the penitentiary.

We hope he is correct because we know he was right when he said, "The
citizens of Lamar County don't want this going on."

It takes time to develop the kinds of cases that result in a roundup
like Operation Clean Sweep. In some cases, investigations were as much
as two years old. But when extensive investigations involving federal
and local agencies result in sweeping our streets clean of the drug
trade for at least a little while, we are willing to be patient.

However, we are fully aware that battling the drug trade is an ongoing
effort. The void left by Operation Clean Sweep will be filled soon.
So, while we congratulate those who participated in the sweep, we also
encourage all of those involved to keep the pressure on. We look
forward to the next sweep because it will mean the war against illegal
drugs is progressing.
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