AGENT - DRUG WAR NOT OVER

DEA, Local Police Complete Seventh-Month Probe

KALAMAZOO -- A seven-month investigation spearheaded by the Drug
Enforcement Administration, United States Attorney General's Office
and many local police agencies was the focus of a special press
conference held Friday in Kalamazoo.

"Law enforcement has a tradition of working collaboratively to more
effectively protect those who live and work in western Michigan,"
said United States Attorney Margaret Chiara.

Last week, special agents from the DEA and members of the St. Joseph
Area Narcotics Unit and Three Rivers Police Department spent one day
following up on leads and tips for suspected methampthetamine dealers
and users.

"The cooperation that we had in our county was something that I've
never seen before," said Dave Alli of SCAN. "We basically quadrupled
the size of our unit. It put the meth community on notice, those
making meth, those selling meth were shocked that we're able to bring
in federal agents, state and local police together at an hour's notice."

The seven-month investigation covered most of southwest Michigan and
included the counties of St. Joseph, Cass, Barry, Kalamazoo, Allegan
and Van Buren.

The DEA from its Detroit office mobilized a seven-person mobile
enforcement team, or MET, to help with the cooperative effort.

"The MET deployments are designed to have an immediate and positive
impact on the quality of life for our local residents plagued by
these drug organizations blatant disregard for public safety," said
Robert Corso, a DEA Detroit special agent.

MET is designed to help state and local authorities to combat drug problems.

"We come in and take them out, it's as simple as that," Corso said.
"We're kind of like exterminators that target a specific type of pest."

Corso said the DEA has been monitoring the meth activity in southwest
Michigan for some time.

"The negative impact that meth has had on this community along with
communities around the country is devastating," Corso said. "Meth
dealers set up shop in residential buildings, motels and
agricultural-rural areas. Most often, the innocent victims are children."

Corso said he wanted to send a clear message to those who manufacture meth.

"We will not tolerate that habit brought to our communities and we
will not stop until you are personally unable to enjoy the freedom
and beauty these communities have to offer," Corso said. "The drug
war is not over. We are out there every day doing what we do best."

Will the DEA return in another joint effort?

"Absolutely we'll come back," he said. "I just won't tell you when."

In the seven-month operation, there were 31 arrests, 16 federal
indictments and five meth labs uncovered, officials said.

Last week, two more labs were found. Six people were arrested and
officers seized 50 guns.

Police also closed down a major cocaine operation in Albion that
resulted in six arrests, they said.

Corso said there has been a decrease in meth labs, but that they are
now seeing more meth imported from south of the border using existing
marijuana and cocaine trails.

"Most of the labs we are seeing now are Beavis and Butt-Head labs," Corso said.

Those arrested will now face federal prosecution. 12 different law
enforcement agencies participated in the operation.