UNDERCOVER STINGS CUTTING INTO GLADES DRUG DEALS

The sting took eight months and nearly 100 drug purchases - all
captured on video - but undercover agents are putting a dent in the
open-air drug markets that have dominated the western communities of
Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric
Bradshaw said.

Bradshaw said Tuesday that his office had made 30 arrests following a
sweep called Operation Crackdown, and said seven more suspects are
being sought. Undercover agents bought small amounts of crack cocaine
from dealers in the high-crime areas of those cities, he said.

Dealers in Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay had grown accustomed to
operating with little scrutiny from police.

But the sheriff's office took control over law enforcement in those
areas within the past two years.

While sheriff's deputies said they were happy to have the drug
dealers off the street, they also recognized the need to maintain a
stepped-up presence to discourage other would-be dealers.

"If you're involved in narcotics activities in this county, we will
identify you and eventually arrest you," Bradshaw said. "It may not
be today. It may not be tomorrow. It may not be next week.
Eventually, we will arrest you."

All of the 99 drug sales were within 1,000 feet of a school or
religious building, which the sheriff's office said increases the
severity of the charges. And all involved quick interactions between
undercover agents and suspected drug dealers.

"What's up man, you got a 40?" an undercover agent is seen asking a
suspect in a video of a transaction.

The sheriff's office said they spent about $2,500 on crack cocaine
during the sting operation.

The arrest of the 30 suspected dealers will have an impact on crimes
unrelated to drugs, Capt. Simon Barnes IV said