STATE AUTHORITIES ARREST 1,219 IN DRUG SWEEP

TALLAHASSEE - Authorities confiscated more than $7.5 million, 53
firearms and 28 cars along with a cache of illegal drugs during a 10-
day multiagency sweep across Florida in late July, the state's top
enforcement official said Friday.

A large part of the crackdown came in the Miami region where 719 of
the 1,219 arrests were made and more than $5.6 million cash was seized.

"I hope this will send the message that Florida has zero-tolerance for
drug activity," said Gerald Bailey, Commissioner of the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement. "Our agencies worked together to round
up drug traffickers, conduct highway interdictions, execute search
warrants and dismantle methamphetamine labs."

The Florida Highway Patrol, which dedicates 56 troopers to drug
interdiction, the Department of Transportation, Department of
Agriculture, along with local law enforcement agencies participated in
the raids between July 17-27.

One of the raids, in Manatee County, resulted in gunfire between a
SWAT team and drug dealers that resulted in an officer being wounded.

Florida was one of 26 states participating in a nationwide crackdown.