Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)

COPS BUST KID'S BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR DOPE

Children Cry As Pregnant Woman Arrested

LITTLE ROCK -- Police on a drug raid burst into a suburban home during
a child's birthday party, startling children who had not yet eaten
their cake.

Amid wails from children and a few parents, officers arrested a
pregnant woman and accused her of selling marijuana from the house,
which had been under surveillance for weeks.

Shannon Hills Police Chief Richard Friend, who led the raid, found
parents about to light candles on a cake adorned with green and white
cartoon characters and a big "2" on top.

"The birthday paper was covering two tables pushed together, the kids
were up in highchairs eating pizza and the cake was just about to be
lit and cut when we kicked the party off a little early," Friend said
Tuesday.

Friend said his officers decided to act on a standing search warrant
when they saw cars pull up to the house. They didn't know the cars
carried at least six children along with five adults. "We didn't know
children were present and when I entered the house, the first thing I
saw was the birthday table and cake, so I yelled for (officers) to put
away their guns," Friend said.

[name deleted], 21, was hosting her niece's second birthday
party at the time of Friday evening's raid. She was allegedly smoking
marijuana in the master bedroom and continuing to sell pot out of the
house as the police moved in. Friend said Sauls received 35 calls
requesting the drug in the short time that police were there.

"A 72-year-old grandmother drove one man to the residence while we
were there and dropped him off so he could buy some," Friend said. "We
barely had time to conduct interviews because the phone kept ringing
with people wanting to buy narcotics."

[name deleted] was charged with possession of a controlled substance with
intent to deliver, delivery of a controlled substance and possession
of drug paraphernalia. She was released without bond because the jail
was full. She appealed to the police that she was just selling the
marijuana to pay for diapers and food for her 1-year-old, but police
said they had been gathering evidence for weeks.