Pubdate: Sat, 17 Apr 2004 Source: Sun News (Myrtle Beach, SC) Copyright: 2004 Sun Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/sunnews/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/987 Note: apparent 150 word limit on LTEs GUMPTION AT DEA Failed Drug Raid Wasn't Total Loss You have to admire the gumption of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and its associates in the Horry County, Atlantic Beach and North Myrtle Beach police departments. Officers from the agencies came up dry Thursday in their drug-paraphernalia raid on the 4:20 Superstore in Atlantic Beach, having apparently been given bum information. At that point, most other government folks (a line of work not known for creativity) would have said, "Well, that didn't work out," and left the scene. Instead, the drug agents said, "Hey, we have those drug-sniffing dogs from the NMB canine unit with us. As long as we're here, why not search some cars at random?" Not even the knowledge that the U.S. Supreme Court is considering a case with potential to ban warrantless, no-probable-cause random canine searches of motor vehicles could deter these intrepid law enforcers from seeking something to show for their efforts. This extra initiative netted three arrests under S.C. law (the officers found nothing that violates federal drug laws) for possession of controlled substances. True, the searches could also net the agencies in question American Civil Liberties Union lawsuits for violation of the Fourth Amendment prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures. But perhaps the drug agents figured that even if the drug busts get overturned, their agencies still would look good. Lots of folks hate the ACLU. We'll all sleep better knowing that the DEA and its local affiliates are sweeping small-time drug users off the streets. Right? - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager