STING
Strike Team
Investigative Narcotics Group
State/County/Local
Multijurisdictional
Task Force
2008
Annual Report
About
Due
to the rural and recreational nature of the area, there is a lack of an
industrial or manufacturing base for employment. This
results in low per-capita income, high unemployment and high per-capita
rates of welfare/social services cases and associated incidents of
substance abuse. The average
median household income is only 66% of the average for the State of
This
area is a prime area for the cultivation of marijuana, including indoor
grow operations. The vast
amount of State and Federal forest lands, large tracts of private
undeveloped woodlands and farms provide many isolated areas for the
cultivation of marijuana and the possible clandestine manufacture of
methamphetamine.
There
are several high volume traffic corridors that exist within the STING
area, including I-75 and US-23. These routes provide direct access to
known source cities, such as
This
area also contains other transient population centers, which contribute to
the associated incidents of substance abuse and related criminal activity.
These areas include the
Standish Maximum Security Correctional Facility, Camp Lehman Correctional
Facility,
2008
STING Board of Directors
Sheriff
Kirk Wakefield
Sheriff
Kevin Grace
Sheriff
Fran Staley
City of
Robert
Woolever, Council Member
City of West Branch
Chief
Rodger Williams, Board Chairman
Richard
Meyer,
Chief
Robert Lavack
Captain
Dan Miller, 3rd District Headquarters
F/Lt.
Jeff Anthony, Post Commander, West Branch
F/Lt.
Robert Lesneski, Post Commander,
Board Chairman Comments
January,
2009
I’m
pleased to report that STING has successfully made it through this
difficult year. This past year
was rough for all law enforcement areas.
I look forward to 2009 with enthusiasm.
The
Team is covering Crawford, Iosco, Ogemaw, Oscoda and
During
these tough economic times, I want to personally thank all who have
assigned officers to our Team.
I
wish to applaud the Team on a very productive, victorious year.
Keep up the good work!
Rodger Williams
Rodger
Williams,
Chairman
STING Executive Board
Unit Commander’s Comments
January
2009
2008
saw another very busy year for the men and women of STING, with
investigations and arrests of many narcotics traffickers.
We faced several challenges including funding cuts at the Federal
level; however, with the dedication and support of our local entities we
overcame these challenges. We
also lost an officer to retirement and this position has not been filled
due to financial restrictions at the state level.
There
were many significant cases investigated this year and I commend the
officers here on their efforts. I
am very proud of the dedication and professionalism displayed by our
officers. You can be assured
that our officers are committed to doing the best job possible under some
pretty tough conditions.
We
are looking forward to another busy year in 2009. It
appears that funding that had been eliminated in 2008 will be restored
next year, which is good news. I
believe that the work we do is a vital piece of the Law Enforcement
puzzle, providing services that uniformed officers cannot.
We will continue to partner with all of the agencies in our area to
assist in any investigations that we can help with.
I
wish I could tell you that I see a decline in illegal narcotics, but I
can’t. We are still in the
economic cycle that appears to be driving people to desperate measures.
I believe that up to 10% of our investigations involve people in
this category, ones who see an “opportunity” for quick cash and take
the chance.
Our
area continues to mirror regional trends for drug abuse, with the rise in
prescription drugs abuse leading the pack.
Prescription drug investigations now comprise nearly 30% of our
cases, nearly double the level we saw 5 years ago.
We all must work diligently to stem this tide and I think with
education and perseverance we can achieve this goal.
Remember, nearly 50% of the prescriptions that are illegally
obtained are done so from friends and relatives.
I
encourage you to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
D/Lt Jeff Keister
D/Lt.
Jeff Keister
Unit
Commander
Goals
Our
goals remain the same as last year – we are always striving to make the
STING area a drug free place.
Identify
drug houses in the STING area and individuals or organizations that
maintain, operate or occupy them.
ü
Identify, disrupt,
dismantle, or render ineffective drug houses – we have increased the
number of organizations/persons identified.
ü
Develop intelligence
sources through arrests of local dealers/users – we have increased the
number of informants developed.
ü
Collaborate with
local prosecutor’s to use all means to identify and prosecute
individuals or organizations – we have increased the amount of drugs
seized from targeted individuals/organizations.
Reduction
in Drug Overdoses
ü
Collaborate with DCH
Bureau of Health Professions MAPS program to identify system abusers –
we have a number of physicians/pharmacists /practitioners identified
corroborating illegal distribution.
ü
Collaborate with
local physicians/pharmacists/practitioners to identify abuse within the
system.
ü
Develop intelligence
sources through arrests of local dealers/users.
ü
Collaborate with
community groups and prevention programs to provide awareness campaigns
– we have increased the number of citizen contacts for
prevention/awareness.
Reduce
the amount of crime associated with drug abuse and trafficking in the
entire STING area.
ü
Collaborate with
local and federal investigators and provide assistance when requested.
ü
Collaborate with
local probation and parole officers to hold repetitive offenders
accountable.
ü
Develop shared
sources of information and consistent modes of dissemination.
ü
Target increased
crime rates, and decreased clearance rates.
Identify
Organizations, Groups, and/or Individuals from
ü
Identify, disrupt,
dismantle, or render ineffective the responsible persons/organizations –
we have a number of organizations/persons identified.
ü
Develop intelligence
sources through arrests of local dealers.
ü
Collaborate with
local prosecutor’s to use all means to identify and prosecute supply
organizations.
ü
Collaborate with
Federal prosecutor’s to identify and prosecute supply organizations.
ü
Impact
organizations/individuals through asset forfeiture.
Identify
and reduce illegal source(s) of prescription drug suppliers within the
STING area.
ü
Collaborate with
physicians/pharmacists/practitioners to identify abuse within the system.
ü
Collaborate with
community groups and prevention programs to provide awareness campaigns
– we have offered information and raised awareness through meetings with
local citizen contacts and groups.
STING
Statistics
Coverage Area
2008 participating entities were Crawford, Oscoda,
Roscommon and
Personnel
Personnel assigned from the following agencies:
Crawford County Sheriff Department:
1
Roscommon County Sheriff Department:
1
City of West Branch/Civilian:
1
Drug Seizures
TYPE
WEIGHT/UNITS
VALUE
Other
Drugs (Prescription & Misc)
4,575 tabs
$31,789
Other Drugs
2.1 grams
$14
Cocaine
103.5 grams
$11,385
Crack
Cocaine
34.7 grams
$3,817
Hallucinogens
.16 ounces
$10
Heroin
8.55 grams
$2,565
Marijuana
– Plants
704
$704,000
Marijuana
– Pounds
23.53
$23,532
Methamphetamine
1 gram
$100
Ecstasy
188 tabs
$5,640
Oxycontin/Oxycodone
285 tabs
$5,700
Total
Value of Drugs Seized
$788,552
Complaints
199
complaint investigations were originated
Arrests/Counts
199 persons were arrested on 344 counts
Search Warrants Executed
45 search warrants were served
Activity by County
2008
Complaints originated by venue
Financial
Report
Assets
Liabilities
Operational
Account
$35,907.39
Un-adjudicated cash & bonds
$4,372.16
Buy
Money on Hand
$8,000.00
Total
$43,907.39
Revenues
Expenses
Contributions
$135,777.70
Administrative Expenses
$1,977.35
Forfeiture
$33,674.63
Confidential Expenditures
$114,920.63
Restitution
$7,748.00
Grant Match
$99,349.00
Interest
$113.16
Office Supplies
$2,643.88
Reimbursement
$613.16
Personnel/Training
$10,019.11
Other
$5,205.07
Communication
$6,158.17
Rent $9,000.00
Total
$183,131.72
Vehicles
$15,091.93
Forfeiture
Expenses
$1,431.39
Total
$160,591.46
2008 Significant Cases
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On
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On
Officers
also had knowledge that the Heroin they were carrying was packaged in
rubber/latex gloves and would swallow the drugs if they got pulled over.
When the vehicle was stopped and as the Trooper and STING approached, they
observed S1 stick a piece of rubber/latex glove into his mouth and was
attempting to swallow it. The
Trooper pulled S1 out of the vehicle and was attempting to get him/her to
spit out the piece of rubber/latex glove.
STING pulled S2 out of the vehicle and placed him/her under arrest
regarding the above mentioned warrant.
Officers grabbed S1’s hands and inside his/her left hand was a
plastic baggie that contained a knotted finger of a rubber/latex glove
with contents. Inside the
S1’s right hand was a knotted finger off of a rubber/latex glove with
contents. S1 swallowed the
rubber/latex finger that officers observed him/her put into his/her mouth.
Each of the two knotted rubber/latex fingers located inside of
S1’s hands contained ten paper packets.
The paper packets contained varying amounts of brown powdery
substance suspected of being Heroin.
STING
field tested the suspected Heroin and the suspected Heroin tested positive
as being Heroin. S1 was placed
under arrest and lodged in the Iosco County Jail for Possession.
S2 was arrested and lodged in the Iosco County Jail on the warrant
and additional charges of delivery.
STING
officers typed a search warrant for the person of S1 based on the fact of
officers observing him/her place a glove in his/her mouth and swallow.
The S1 was advised of the search warrant and was taken to
A
search warrant was also executed for the person of S2 also, with noting
excreted.
On
Both
the S1 and S2 were sentenced to time in prison.
î
On
On
Again
with $80.00 buy money, the CI was able to purchase 1.7 grams of Cocaine.
On
The
S1 was arrested on June 1st for Controlled Substance
Delivery/Manufacture Narcotics or Cocaine.
î
Same
venue as above, on
On
2/19, a search warrant was drafted and executed on the home of the
suspect. Officers seized $406
which contained monies from the previous buy.
This
suspect was arrested on
î
On
In
route to execute the warrant, officers and Crawford County Deputies saw
the suspect driving and activated a traffic stop and informed the suspect
of the search warrant. The
suspect and officers went to the house, seized a portable radar gun
belonging to the Sheriff’s Department, 23.7 grams of Marijuana, $200 and
arrested the suspect.
î
On
Officers
obtained and executed a search warrant for the person (not being
registered in
î
î
Same
day, MSP 75 Trooper stopped the vehicle that STING officers were watching.
This traffic stop lead to the consent search of the suspect’s
hotel room. The search led to the seizure of 130 grams Marijuana,
145 Ecstasy pills and various electronics.
Two suspects were arrested on delivery charges.
î
STING
officers secured the cabin until the search warrant was finished being
authorized. Search warrant was
executed and Officers located several pre-packaged baggies of Marijuana
inside the cabin. Three
suspect (dad and two sons) were arrested for POM.
Total seizures were the recovery of the buy money from the UC buy,
63.6 grams Marijuana, 25 various pills, 2 grams of a powdery substance and
a shotgun.
î
Based
on the information heard on the transmitter (it was believed that
additional Marijuana was purchased), a traffic stop was done on the CI’s
vehicle. Officers found a
large amount of Marijuana under the driver’s seat and after talking to
the others in the CI’s vehicle, two small baggies were recovered.
A total of 32.6 grams of Marijuana was seized.
A
search warrant was drafted and executed on the suspect’s residence.
Seized was 279.2 grams of Marijuana, $1,705 and 14 miscellaneous
guns.
Richfield
Township Police were contacted by one of the people that were in the
CI’s vehicle and stated that the suspect was making threats on the CI.
The suspect was arrested at a later date on three charges.
This suspect was the owner of a business in St. Helen and one in
Roscommon.
î
HUNT
executed a search warrant on the Doctor’s business and arrested the
Doctor for two counts of Unlawfully Prescribing Controlled Substances.
î
Troopers
along with STING seized 14 Marijuana plants from the vehicle and another
16 Marijuana plants growing in the woods off on the suspect’s property.
The suspect was arrested for Delivery/Manufacture Marijuana.
î
The
suspect (an assistant coach) was arrested in December on a 2 count felony
warrant. Forfeiture
proceedings were filed on the suspect’s property.
î
Officers
noted a "beaten down" path leading directly from the Marijuana
plants, to a mowed back yard on
STING
obtained and executed a search warrant for the residence.
Officers found a sophisticated hydroponic marijuana grow operation
in the basement. Officers
seized 25 grams Marijuana, shotgun, taser, 49 Marijuana plants and
numerous
items used for growing/manufacturing Marijuana plants.
Two suspects were
arrested for Delivery/Manufacture Marijuana.
A profiler was contacted and interviewed the suspects.
The owner of the house was served with forfeiture papers and the
case goes to the Grand Jury in January 2009 and the home owner may then be
indicted
Federally for growing more that 100 Marijuana plants.
î
Property
regarding this incident is currently being held by HUNT.
STING arrested the suspect on a Delivery warrant.
î
STING
was contacted by MSP 36 requesting assistance with surveillance of a
suspect in the theft of
î
A
search warrant was executed on a
î
During
the execution of a search warrant on the above case, Officers became aware
that a suspect was renting a trailer on the property.
This suspect is known to STING, as he had been arrested by this
unit 3 times within the last 3 years on drug charges ranging from selling
his prescription medication to possessing Marijuana.
STING
search the trailer and saw a green radio sitting on a table by the couch
and noted that it was "on" and was on channel 19.
Officers also found a duplicate green radio on the table inside the
residence, which was also set to channel 19.
Officers were advised that the suspect in the house did talk to
someone on the radio. It is
believed that this suspect received a "heads up" that the police
were at the residence, and that the suspect fled on foot.
STING seized 33.8 grams Marijuana, 180 pills, 25.5 grams LSD and a
shotgun.
The
suspect has a warrant now for Felon in Possession of a Firearm to go along
with his/her 5 previous charges.
î
STING
was contacted by West Branch Police Department and advised that he had
recently caught a subject with a counterfeit insurance certificate.
The subject cooperated, and explained how he/she had come to
possess the certificate.
STING
drove to the location gave the subject a sheet of paper with a bogus name,
date of birth, and the VIN number from a seized vehicle in the STING lot.
Officers arrived at the location the subject exited the business
and handed me the newly obtained insurance certificate.
The subject gave Officers the name of the suspect that was faxing
the certificated from a downstate business.
Evidence was turned over to the West Branch city Police.
î
î
11/08
STING was contacted by a CI who advised that he/she could purchase Cocaine
from a suspect.
STING
Officers met with the CI and provided him/her with $110.00 buy money.
A transmitting device was placed on the CI.
The
CI was followed to the location and a purchase of 1.5 grams of Cocaine.
The suspect, a local business co-owner, had color coded baggies of
cocaine. A LEIN also shows the
suspect to have a valid CCW permit out of
The
suspect has on his/her person, at time of arrest, 22 additional
individually packaged corner ties of Cocaine.
STING seized a total of 51.9 grams of Cocaine, 7.2 grams of
Marijuana and a pistol.