SUBURBS TEAM UP TO FIGHT DRUGS

West Des Moines, Ia. - A suburban drug task force has seized 24 pounds of
methamphetamine and 700 ecstasy pills since it was formed in October.

The West Suburban Neighborhood Vice/Narcotics Task Force brings together
eight narcotics detectives from West Des Moines, Urbandale, Clive, Johnston
and Windsor Heights to target drug activity in their cities.

"Drugs don't read city limit signs," said Urbandale Sgt. Doug Hobart, who
oversees the unit. "Chances are if you've got one person dealing in West
Des Moines, they're probably selling in other cities, too."

The task force has seized twice as much methamphetamine as marijuana. The
unit has also confiscated small amounts of crack cocaine, heroin, LSD and
prescription drugs. They have arrested nearly 100 people and filed 125
felony drug charges.

"Is there anything we don't see? No," Hobart said.

Reflect Trends

Suburban drug arrests reflect trends around the country, he said. Ecstasy,
known as a party drug, is becoming more common, especially among young
people, the unit found. Meth use, meanwhile, continues to be a problem that
hasn't reached its peak, Hobart said.

The unit found that suburban drug dealers and users come from all
backgrounds, ages and income levels. The unit has tracked everyone from
wealthy prescription drug abusers to young marijuana dealers.

Cases frequently lead detectives from one suburb into another, and into Des
Moines. Detectives work with Des Moines police, the Polk County Sheriff's
Department and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency when a drug case leads
them out of their region.

Because each pound of drugs seized is equivalent to about 453 grams that
could be sold in the Des Moines area, "you can't say you cleaned up Des
Moines; you cleaned up the metro," Hobart said.

Metro Cooperation

The suburban narcotics unit reflects a trend in metro cooperation, said
West Des Moines Lt. Bill Stifel. Urbandale, West Des Moines and Clive this
year formed a joint emergency dispatch center that allows them to share
equipment and costs. Such arrangements supplement the efforts of smaller
suburban police departments, he said.

Clive police Chief Robert Cox said his department possessed limited drug
enforcement capabilities until the task force started last fall.

"Instead of one, we have eight detectives in this unit now," Cox said.
"That's the big benefit for us. It would be very difficult to do all the
things the task force has done with just one officer."

The drug unit "shows that several agencies can combine together and be very
effective," Hobart said.