THE LITTLEST, UNWITTING VICTIM

From time to time we hear drug use or possession is a victimless
crime.

Then from time to time we hear of a case like the one in Bonita
Springs the other day.

While Lee County Sheriff's officers were executing a meticulously
planned cocaine dragnet, they discovered a 3-month-old boy in the back
seat of a vehicle suspected to be involved.

The infant -- whose mother was charged as a suspected dealer -- was
whisked out of harm's way.

To hear Bonita Mayor Jay Arend tell it, that discovery instantly
changed the demeanor of the rough, tough officers.

They melted, said Arend, who was with officers as they made 11
arrests.

At the same time, the baby's presence ought to have hardened the
officers' resolve to pursue that and other suspected drug activity.

A victimless crime? No way.