SIX-MONTH SWEEP IN DANIA BEACH RESULTS IN 85 ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES

Cocaine-Selling Charges Filed Against 85 in Dania Beach Over 6 Months

DANIA BEACH - They worked the northwest and southwest sections of the
city, hawking drugs on street corners and in alleyways in what they
thought was anonymity.

But for months, hidden cameras had been recording their drug sales.

On Friday, the Broward Sheriff's Office announced charges against 85
alleged crack cocaine dealers as part of a six-month investigation
called "Operation Street Sweeper."

Ranging in age from 14 to 62, the suspects are accused of selling
drugs to undercover deputies 220 times, with one dealer returning on
13 separate occasions.

The suspects include 10 juveniles and eight women, Sheriff Al Lamberti said.

As of Friday morning, 61 were in custody. They will face charges of
delivery of cocaine, a second-degree felony.

All the suspects are residents of Dania Beach. All were videotaped
selling drugs in about a four-square mile area.

Based on the 29,000 people who live in Dania Beach, according to
Mayor Al Jones, the breakdown is about one crack dealer for every 341
residents.

"This is a lot of drug dealers," Sheriff's Sgt. Ed Oman said during a
Friday news conference, where mug shots of the accused were displayed
on bulletin boards.

"That's why we let this go for six months. These people don't have
regular jobs. They go out every day and stand on their street corner
and sell crack."

The arrests were made in coordination with the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration.

Most of the tips came from Dania Beach residents who were fed up with
crime, Oman said.

The undercover deputies would typically stop their cars in front of
the dealers, be offered a quantity of crack, then pay for the drug
and drive away.

"We can only be elated that [the Sheriff's Office] is doing their
job," Jones said. "These are hard times we live in and people do
desperate things."

Oman, who ran the drug operation, said many of the dealers stored the
crack rocks in their mouths, a practice recorded on surveillance
video. In a pinch, the dealers dispose of the illegal drug by
swallowing it, Oman said.

The investigation resulted in three federal cases, which involved the
sale of an ounce or more of cocaine.

Federal charges result in stricter sentences of up to 40 years, Oman said.

Years ago, undercover officers blew their cover when they chased drug
dealers, Lamberti said.

Today, surveillance video records drug transactions. Deputies can
maintain their anonymity, Lamberti said.