|
STING |
August
2006
These
arrests were made in the following counties:
1
in Alcona
7
in Crawford
6
in Iosco
2
in Oscoda
5
in Roscommon
Officers
currently have the following warrants pending:
6
in Oscoda
1
in Iosco
1
in Roscommon
7
in Crawford
During
these arrests the following seizures were made:
13.8
grams of Cocaine and 56 grams of Marijuana
A
search warrant was executed and 2 persons were arrested in
August 2005
During
the week of August 22nd officers from STING concluded several
narcotics investigations with the arrest of 11 individuals on multiple counts of
delivery or possession of controlled substances; several were charged with being
a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
These
investigations were conducted in the Prudenville/Houghton Lake area’s of
3
arrests were made on Monday, August 22; charges include Delivery of Crack
Cocaine, Delivery of Marijuana, Delivery of Controlled Substances (oxycontin,
vicodin).
1
arrest was made on Wednesday, August 24th for Delivery of Marijuana.
7
arrests were made Thursday, August 25th
. Charges include
Delivery of Crack Cocaine, Possession of Crack Cocaine, Felon in Possession of a
Firearm, Delivery of Marijuana and Possession of Marijuana. Additionally,
2 persons arrested on Monday were
arrested again on Thursday after additional charges were authorized, including a
Delivery of Marijuana in
During
the investigations STING officers seized Crack Cocaine, Marijuana, Oxycontin,
Vicodin and several other prescription pills.
9
long guns were seized.
2
vehicles were seized.
Forfeiture
action was initiated against one home, the residence of one of the arrested
persons.
Warrants
have been issued for 2 other persons for Delivery of Crack Cocaine and Delivery
of Marijuana. We believe they may be
out of the area at this time. Additionally,
several more individuals are being investigated for Delivery of Marijuana and
charges are expected in the near future.
Officers
from the Roscommon County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police Houghton
Lake Post and Denton Township Police Department assisted STING officers with the
arrests.
Total
cases: 146
Total
Arrest Counts: 130
Persons
arrested: 94
Value
of drugs purchased/seized (street value) $727,007
Conducting
a sting operation, STING officers uncovered two methamphetamine labs in a matter
of two weeks. STING officers recently arrested a
Authorities say the lab was capable of producing 1 to 2 ounces of finished meth a cook. With a street level value of $100 a gram, the couple was netting approximately $3,000 dollars per hour for their work. Unfortunate for them, they now face methamphetamine and firearm possession charges.
STING
officers also seized a second methamphetamine lab a week later in
Blowing
Smoke!
A
West Branch resident is in custody following several controlled buys by STING
officers. STING officers arrested
the
The
children were temporarily removed from the parents by the Family Independence
Agency.
Tip
Leads To Large Marijuana Grow Operation in
Acting
on a tip received by the Gladwin City Police that more than 100 pounds of
marijuana was stored in a
Hiding
Behind Disclaimer Does Little Good For Shop Owner
Acting
on numerous complaints from West Branch citizens, STING and West Branch Police
Department officers began an undercover investigation into the illegal sale of
drug paraphernalia at a local tattoo parlor and head shop.
Upon
entering the business Officers observed a display of more than 50 miscellaneous
smoking pipes, water bongs, and vehicle safes.
When
questioned as to how best to use the pipes and which end the “weed” went
into, the owner was quick to explain he could not sell the pipe but because the
buyer had mentioned the word “dope.” This was a disclaimer he was told to
use from his good friend, a local attorney!
He
would, however, sell the pipe to the second undercover officer because he never
mentioned the “d” word. As he
was wrapping the pipe he explained in more detail the differences in the pipes
and how they were used. He told them
how one of the styles has not held up in the past and how a couple of kids had
returned with one of the glass pipes which had broken when heating up their
dope. STING officers concluded that the owner knew exactly what the pipes were
being used for, as he commented that he didn’t have any legal tobacco but was
thinking about getting some to back up his disclaimer and keep the “HEAT”
off him. The shop owner was arrested
for the sale of drug paraphernalia and his inventory seized.
Inmates
Spill Beans On
Three
inmates lodged in the Missaukee County Jail help led STING officers to an active
meth lab located near Merritt in
In
preparing their raid entry, STING called for the assistance of the Michigan
State Police Emergency Support Team and the Bomb Squad from the Grayling Lab.
Authorities believed at the time that the suspect had wired his garage
lab with explosives and the suspect was known to be in possession of automatic
weapons.
Entry
to the residence was established without incident. STING officers found evidence
of an active methamphetamine lab in the residence itself, in the garage and one
barn. They also found a meth
component refuse pile located to the rear of the property near a tree line.
As
the day progressed, STING officers found components of a full-scale Meth Lab
were located in various out buildings around the farmstead.
The 43-year-old suspect and his 46-year-old girlfriend both denied
knowledge of a Methamphetamine Lab, or any ongoing conspiracy to produce
Methamphetamine at the residence.
During
the search of the residence STING officers also discovered, through tax records
and other financial information that the suspect’s reported income was much
lower—very low--compared to his current standard of living.
Authorities believed that many of the items taken under forfeiture as a
result of the raid had been traded or bartered for drugs, or were purchased with
proceeds from drug sales.
The
suspect was charged with being a habitual offender plus six counts ranging from
possession of methamphetamine, to operating a meth lab.
The suspect’s girlfriend was charged with six counts ranging from
receiving and concealing stolen property, operating a meth lab and possession of
methamphetamine.
We
are all well aware that there is a direct correlation between drugs and crime in
our community. We also know that
criminals do more than destroy lives, they also steal the sense of safety, well
being and freedom in our community.
Armed
with this knowledge, community leaders and law enforcement agencies in Arenac,
Crawford, Iosco, Ogemaw, Oscoda and Roscommon counties partnered with the
Michigan State Police and federal agencies to establish the Strike Team
Investigative Narcotics Group (STING) in the early 90’s.
Currently, STING covers Crawford, Ogemaw, Oscoda and Roscommon counties
as well as the City of
STING
is a multijurisdictional team with one common goal in mind, removing drug
dealers from our community’s streets and neighborhoods, so you can live your
life with a sense of peace and tranquility.
The
concept of STING is based on the simple premise that no one agency has the
ability or resources to respond single-handedly to the drug problems in our
area. Therefore, we had to look at
combining our talent and resources into a strong specialized drug enforcement
team, aimed specifically at removing drug criminals from our streets.
As Commander of STING I am convinced that by combining the talent, resources and technology of our local agencies with those of state and federal agencies, we are more successful in our drug fighting efforts. As you can see by the 2003 numbers, we investigated 146 cases, made 130 arrests and stopped the dissemination of more than $727,000 dollars worth of drugs directed toward the children, family and friends in our area.
As
a citizen of Au Gres, or Crawford, Ogemaw, Oscoda or Roscommon counties, you
stand to benefit greatly by the collective efforts of STING.
Whether using local street enforcement efforts, interdiction,
education/prevention, or taking full advantage of the highly specialized crime
fighting tools offered by state and federal agencies, STING officers are
committed to making a difference in our community.
While
cocaine and marijuana still seem to be the drugs of choice found in many of our
communities, now on the scene, and positioned to spread like a brush fire, is
METHAMPHETAMINE. Counties across the
state have seen an alarming increase in methamphetamine clandestine labs
(cooking sites) and meth related activities as well.
Methamphetamine
is like no other drug we have seen before in this area, especially due in part
to the fact that it is manufactured (cooked) right here in our community and not
imported as is the case with other illegal drugs.
As you read about methamphetamine in this newsletter, you will see how
deadly and dangerous this drug really is. I
encourage you to become aware of the dangers associated with methamphetamine, to
report any suspicious activities, and to help STING officers in their efforts to
keep this devastating drug from taking over our community.