APD CONDUCTS NEIGHBORHOOD DRUG RAIDS

More Expected In The Future, Says Authorities

Special Response Team members hang on the side of a moving truck, followed
by narcotics agents and uniformed officers.

As the truck rolls to a stop, the masked officers jump off the truck and
rush into 1211 Magnolia St.

Agents hopped out of their cars with guns drawn, and patrolmen surrounded
the neighborhood.

It was all part of Operation Neighborhood Sweeps.

Alexandria police Sgt. Newmon Bobb, commander of the narcotics division,
said residents in drug infested neighbors should expect to see more of
these raids.

The team searched the first house, then moved down about a block and raided
1341 Magnolia St.

Two men were taken into custody for questioning but were later released.

Another suspect was seen running out the back of 1341 Magnolia, but police
were unable to catch him.

While the raids ended with no arrests and no drugs being seized, Bobb said
they do send a message.

"We want complainants to know that we are going to follow-up and take
action, and we want drug dealers to know we are coming in the
neighborhoods," he said.

He encouraged residents to continue calling and sending tips to the
division's Web site - www.alexpolice.com/narcotics.

The raids were the execution of search warrants at the homes, Bobb said.
The warrants were obtained after three months of investigation.

The raids were quick strikes in the neighborhood. The officers left from
the city complex with SRT members riding on the sides of a truck, and
patrol units blocking off major intersections.

The line officers spread throughout the neighborhood, blocking every
intersection as the SRT members and narcotics agents pulled in front of the
house.

Despite the attempt at surprise, screams of warning could be heard down the
streets as the police were seen coming into the area.

The quick raids are a "hit or miss" situation, Bobb said.

Crowds of neighbors stood outside their homes watching every move of the
officers.

Some expressed their pleasure at seeing the officers going through the
houses. However, none wanted to give their names.

One woman asked what was happening, and when an officer answered, she told
him "Good job, keep coming back."

The narcotics division has received numerous complaints of cocaine dealing
in the Magnolia Street area, Bobb said.

"Drug activity is not going to be tolerated in the city," he said. "We are
hitting drug areas hard."