CRACKDOWN RESULTS IN 27 ARRESTS

Cherokee County

Bureau GAFFNEY -- Deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff's office
kicked off operation "Summer Crackdown 2001" with 27 drug arrests
Monday.

A total of 43 arrests on 132 warrants are planned for the sweep,
which officials said is targeted at dealers of crack, marijuana and
prescription drugs.

Officials said the operation is the culmination of six months of
undercover investigations at several housing complexes, as well as
Fourth, Fifth and Logan streets. According to a statement by the
sheriff's office, many of the defendants have prior drug arrests, and
several are on probation or out on bond on drug distribution charges.

The sheriff's office plans to ask that bond be denied for those with
prior drug convictions, as well as those out on bond for drug charges.