MELTON'S SWEEPS CREATING CONCERN

MDOT Makes Big Bust; MBN Checks Driver's Licenses

The same day a dozen state narcotics agents were conducting a road block
near the Capitol to check driver's licenses, officers with the Mississippi
Department of Transportation were stopping an 18-wheeler carrying 600
pounds of marijuana.

The MDOT seizure on I-20 near Meridian led to two felony drug arrests. Two
Texas men were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.

The roadblock netted five misdemeanor drug arrests, and one person wanted
by Jackson police was apprehended.

On Wednesday, during a speech before the Mississippi Economic Council,
Frank Melton, the recently appointed director of the Mississippi Bureau of
Narcotics, told his audience he needed to check everyone's driver's license
before he left.

The comment, a reference to the MBN roadblocks Tuesday, drew laughter from
the luncheon audience.

For Melton, however, his personal war on drugs is no laughing matter.

"They think I'm a loose cannon and that I may need to be in Whitfield,"
Melton said, referring to his critics. "But they're frightened."

Attorney General Mike Moore said, while he applauds Melton's enthusiasm, he
plans to talk with him about what is and is not permissible.

"It's going to be a particular challenge on our part to make sure that we
keep Frank between the lines of the law," Moore said.

Moore said he was concerned Melton, who has no law enforcement experience,
was personally tapping on windows asking for driver's licenses.

"You must be a sworn law enforcement officer to stop to do driver's license
checks," Moore said.

"The director of an agency can certainly supervise his men and women while
they (conduct checks) but he shouldn't participate directly in law
enforcement activities unless he is in fact a law enforcement officer."

Melton said he is undergoing training through the Jackson Police Department
to earn certification.

But, he said, he won't take himself off the street.

"I'm going to be out there with those guys supporting them," he said.

Because of those sweeps Tuesday, lawmakers didn't have to drive through
drug dealers and prostitutes to get to work, Melton said.

The constitutionality of those checks is also in question.

In November 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that random roadblocks
intended for drug searches violated one's right against unreasonable search
and seizure.

Moore said he could not comment on the ruling or whether it parallels with
Tuesday's activities, because he was unfamiliar with the purpose of the
roadblocks.

Melton said he believes he is within the law to conduct the sweeps. The
sweeps, based on intelligence reports, were conducted "specifically to
check for drugs and methamphetamines," Melton said, noting that chemicals
needed to manufacture the drug are highly explosive.

For that reason, "methamphetamine frightens me," he said.

"I believe that Frank Melton is trying as hard as he can to draw some
special attention to the drug problem in our state," Moore said. "I believe
that he will use some unorthodox methods to do that."

Gov. Ronnie Musgrove appointed Melton, chief executive officer for TV-3
Inc. Foundation, Dec. 4. Melton must be confirmed by the state Senate..