31 ARRESTS PLANNED IN DOWNTOWN DRUG SALES

Waukesha -- Drawing a close to more than a year's worth of undercover
work, local law enforcement officials on Friday began arresting 31
people accused of selling drugs in downtown Waukesha and elsewhere.

"This is a major undercover investigation that's been going on for 12
to 15 months," Waukesha County District Attorney Paul Bucher said.
"We've been working on these cases and have accumulated them and are
conducting a major sweep."

Undercover officers from the Waukesha County Metro Drug Enforcement
Group repeatedly attempted to purchase narcotics in Waukesha and in
other county communities and found the task too easy, Bucher said.

"The individuals were ready, willing and able to sell us controlled
substances," Bucher said.

The Como Hotel, at 116 E. St. Paul Ave. in downtown Waukesha, was one
area where drugs were nearly always readily available, he said.

"This is the second sweep in a year that we've done in that area,
indicating the ease of purchasing controlled substances there," Bucher
said, referring to the downtown area. Waukesha city officials have
been concerned about the high level of drug dealing occurring
downtown. They say they are optimistic that current and future efforts
to redevelop the area will help clear out the crime.

Police have warned that crack cocaine has become a serious enough
problem downtown that it could discourage redevelopment if not kept in
check.

Waukesha police Capt. Mike Babe said Friday that although the 31
arrests will have an impact on the area's drug traffic, it won't be
long before those people are replaced by others.

"It's just like any other crime, if we arrest a bunch . . . it seems
like someone takes their place," Babe said.

Bucher, who was assisting with the arrest efforts, said he expected
about 20 of the 31 people to be arrested by Saturday. The remainder
will continue to be sought on arrest warrants that have been issued.

Law enforcement officials planned to make many of the arrests within
the same day to avoid having the word get out, giving others time to
flee, he said.

Those arrested are accused of possession with intent to deliver and
possession of crack cocaine, powdered cocaine, marijuana and heroin.

In recent years, crack cocaine has become the most widely used illegal
drug in Waukesha County, officials have said.

The undercover work included numerous businesses, apartments and
residences. The investigations will continue, and more arrests are
likely in the future, authorities said.

In the past, officers have made many of their narcotics arrests in the
area near Madison St. and St. Paul Ave. The transient population
there, the nearby taverns and easy access to I-94 from downtown all
contribute to the drug activity, officials said.