DOZENS ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES IN BROWN COUNTY

BROWNWOOD - Dozens of arrests were made Friday in one of the largest
drug investigations in Brown County. As of late Friday afternoon,
authorities had arrested 32 of the 54 people wanted on various drug
charges.

A Brown County grand jury returned 75 indictments against 48 people
on Tuesday on drug charges. In addition, warrants were issued for six
other people, also on drug charges.

The indictments were a result of a seven-month undercover
investigation by officers of the Abilene-based West Central Texas
Interlocal Crime Task Force. The indictments are for delivery of
drugs, including methamphetamine, amphetamine, powder and crack
cocaine, marijuana and prescription drugs.

All but three indictments involve felony charges. The warrants were
for delivery of drugs and possession of a controlled substance.

The people arrested Friday were between the ages of 17 and 60. Most
of them were released from the Brown County Jail after posting bail,
a jail spokeswoman said. The bonds ranged from $5,000 to $15,000.

Officers did not face resistance in making the arrests Friday. They
seized a pistol and some marijuana plants.

Brownwood Police Chief Virgil Cowin said the number of arrests will
be larger than in 1999 when 42 people were indicted on drug charges.
Cowin said authorities could be arresting people on the indictments
through the weekend.

"This will probably be one of the bigger (drug investigations) that's
ever happened in Brown County," he said.