Pubdate: Thu, 13 Jul 2006
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Page: B09
Copyright: 2006 The Washington Post Company
Contact:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Author: Theresa Vargas, Washington Post Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)

DOZENS ARRESTED IN GUN, DRUG STING

About 40 Suspects Charged, 26 Still Sought After 18-Month Investigation

About 40 people have been arrested and more than 20 are being sought
in Prince William County in what law enforcement officials said
yesterday was one of the largest crackdowns on gun and drug
trafficking in Northern Virginia.

The operation, dubbed "the Highway Men" because much of the activity
occurred near the Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1) corridor, involved
more than 250 federal, state and local officials over 18 months.
Officers began rounding up suspects Tuesday, with about 40 arrests
made by yesterday and more than 31 firearms seized.

"We think it's well past time that we get serious with these people,
and that's what we're doing today," U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg said
at a news conference attended by other top law enforcement officials.

Those charged in the operation were not part of an organized
syndicate, and most do not know each other. Rather, the operation was
an effort to clean up drug dealing and gun sales along the Route 1
corridor, including in Woodbridge, Dale City, Lake Ridge, Dumfries and
Occoquan.

Officers said that many of the people who face charges have prior
convictions, with one man having been arrested 30 times. Altogether,
the suspects have 400 prior arrests and 150 prior convictions,
Rosenberg said.

Rosenberg said he expected more arrests today and in days to come.
Officials also handed out photos of 26 people still wanted in the operation.

"We're out there," Rosenberg said, "and we're coming."

The operation involved an undercover agent from the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Police and federal agents
concentrated efforts in an area where Prince William police had
received many complaints about drug and weapons activity, said Phillip
Durham of the ATF.

Lt. J. Lanham, who heads the county's narcotics and gang task force,
said that taking dozens of suspects off the street at one time will
have a huge impact. "Some of these guys are hard-core criminals with
lengthy criminal records," he said.

Many Prince William residents may feel safer, but at least one family
said it lost a sense of security yesterday. Dale City family members
were awakened by U.S. marshals breaking down their front door. "No
ringing the doorbell, no knocking on the door, no warning," Arlita
Hines said.

She said armed officers entered her home about 6:15 a.m. and started
shouting: "Get down! Get down! What are your names?" Hines said two of
her nephews and a niece -- all teenagers -- were handcuffed and made
to lie face down on the hardwood floor for two hours while officers
flipped mattresses, opened drawers and tossed over laundry baskets.
When they confirmed that they had the wrong house, they left, leaving
Hines a form for reporting the damage.

"I respect what they do, but this is above and beyond. It's
unacceptable," Hines said. "We're all traumatized, especially the
kids. To have a gun pointed in their faces, that's mental."

Mike Campbell of the ATF said marshals had a warrant for the home
because one of the wanted men lived there at one time. He said
officers broke down the door after knocking. It is also standard
procedure to handcuff unknown people while a search is conducted to
ensure officers' safety, Campbell said.

Forty-eight of the suspects face federal charges, many stemming from
11 indictments that were unsealed yesterday. A federal firearms charge
carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and Rosenberg said
that some of the people could face life. "This is an example of us
going after the worst of the worst," Campbell said.

Prince William Commonwealth's Attorney Paul B. Ebert and Prince
William Police Chief Charlie T. Deane applauded the effort. "I think
this is a good example of how local and federal law enforcement
agencies can work together," Ebert said. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake