Pubdate: Sat, 09 Feb 2013
Source: Albert Lea Tribune (MN)
Copyright: 2013 Albert Lea Tribune Inc.
Contact: http://www.albertleatribune.com/submitletter/
Website: http://www.albertleatribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3521
Note: from the Associated Press

30 ARRESTED IN TWIN PORTS IN COCAINE INVESTIGATION

DULUTH - Police have arrested 30 people in an alleged crack cocaine
trafficking ring in Duluth and Superior, Wis.threatened

The arrests came this week after a nine-month investigation dubbed
"Operation Crackdown."

Investigators say suspects were trading crack cocaine for government
food-assistance debit cards at about half the face value of the cards.
Investigators say they used decoy cards to conduct controlled buys of
crack cocaine.

Lt. Steve Stracek, commander of the Lake Superior Drug and Violent
Crime Task Force, said alleged dealers would either go to the store
with the buyer and buy groceries with the cards, or they would force
the buyer to prove the card still had money, and then take the card.

Authorities are seeking another 10 suspects. 
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