Pubdate: Tue, 15 Feb 2005
Source: Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC)
Copyright: 2005 The Herald-Sun
Contact:  http://www.herald-sun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1428

DRUG BUST BLOWS AWAY OLD RECORD

We applaud the Durham Police Department and other local and federal law
enforcement agencies for removing more than 167 pounds of cocaine from the
city's streets. The illegal drug trade is a major source of many of Durham's
worst problems, and it must be attacked aggressively.

With an estimated value of $1.9 million, the cocaine seizure is the largest
in Durham history. To understand just how large, consider that the previous
record was only 14.3 pounds. It's encouraging to see local law enforcement
agencies going after -- and catching -- the big fish. Winning the fight
against drugs must include putting mid-to high-level dealers out of business
and in jail. Details about the record-setting seizure are still sketchy. But
we do know that the bust took place at 2841 Stuart Drive. There, police
arrested four men and charged them with attempting to possess, possession
and conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams (1.1 pounds) of cocaine.

"I think the main message is, we're going after the big ones and not just
the little ones," says Durham Police Capt. Steve Mihaich. "And it's not
over."

We're happy to hear it. That's the attitude that's needed to have any
reasonable chance at getting the upper hand on drug dealers, especially in a
town like Durham, with a well-known appetite for illegal drugs. To make
matters worse, Durham is on one of the favorite north-south routes of drug
dealers -- Interstate 85.

It's important for law enforcement agencies to take an aggressive stand
against drug dealing because substance abuse and addiction is the source of
so many woes.

Drugs often lead to poverty, illness and death, child neglect and abuse,
domestic violence and the destruction of families and other crimes such as
burglary, robbery and murder.

Drug dealing also feeds gangs by giving young men an alternative to school.
Too many are deceived into thinking they don't need a high school diploma.
They can have a fancy car and a cool apartment by selling cocaine. What they
don't seem to grasp is that drug dealing is also a fast ticket to prison or
the morgue.

For far too long, it has seemed as though drug dealers were running things
in Durham. It's good to see them on the run for a change. Bravo to the
police for this record-breaking bust.
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