TULIA PROBE NEEDED

THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT needs to investigate the arrest last year of
one sixth of Tulia's black population during an undercover drug
investigation that two civil rights groups have called an "ethnic cleansing
of young black males.''

The National Association of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties
Union filed a complaint last week alleging that Tulia's black community was
selectively targeted. We don't know if the complaint has merit, but some
facts about the undercover operation are troubling.

The investigation, which snared 40 of Tulia's 246 blacks, was conducted by
a white officer who claimed to have made more than 100 purchases of illegal
narcotics. Yet at no time did the officer wear a wire. No video
surveillance was conducted, and no other officer backed up any of his
reports. No drugs, money or weapons were seized during the arrests.

We must note that 17 of those arrested have pleaded guilty to drug charges,
and 11 people have been convicted on charges stemming from the
investigation. However, Swisher County District Attorney Terry McEachern
dropped charges against at least one man after learning that the undercover
officer was not sure he purchased cocaine from the man.

The civil rights groups claim that trial transcripts raise questions about
the testimony of the officer who conducted the undercover investigation. An
independent agency like the Justice Department needs to review those
transcripts.

The arrests and the accusations that the investigation was racially
motivated have divided Tulia. That is why an independent probe of this
matter is needed.