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. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh