LOCAL DAMMADD LINK NETS FIRST ARREST

PASCAGOULA -- Only officially on the Mississippi Gulf Coast since
early June, Dads and Mad Moms Against Drug Dealers (DAMMADD) has
already received information that led to the arrest of a St. Andrews
woman.

This is first arrest in Mississippi directly related to a tip received
through DAMMADD.

Authorities with the Jackson County Narcotics Task Force said on June
7 Pamela Ann Bassoe-Warreb, 36, of 5601 South St. in the St. Andrews
area, turned herself into authorities after learning that an arrest
warrant had been issued for her. She has been charged with possession
of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute.

Capt. Louis Miller, commander of the Jackson County Narcotics Task
Force, said it was just days after the task force signed off to
participate in DAMMADD that the first tip was received.

The tip, he said, was received on a Saturday, and after some
preliminary investigation the warrant was executed on Sunday.

DAMMADD is a grassroots organization based in upstate New York and
formed to help law enforcement track down drug dealers. Through an
Internet Web site or toll free number, anonymous tips are received and
forwarded to local authorities.

"In law enforcement, we appreciate all the help we can get from
organizations like this," Miller said. "Tips like this one make our
job and the investigation go a lot easier."

Miller said the task force is comprised of seven officers on
assignment from the Ocean Springs Police Department, Pascagoula Police
Department, Gautier Police Department and the Jackson County Sheriff's
Department.

"That's 14 pairs of eyes," he said. "Compared to all the eyes in the
community."

After receiving the tip from DAMMADD, authorities issued a search
warrant for Warreb's South Street home. On June 6, the warrant was
executed. Inside the home task force authorities said they found
cocaine, marijuana and $2,450 cash. Warreb was not home at the time of
the search, authorities said.

Steven Steiner, founder of DAMMADD, was on the Coast earlier this
month to speak to law enforcement officials about participating in his
grassroots programs that targets drug dealers. Steiner founded the
program in 2001 in honor of his son, Stevie, who died at age 19 from a
drug overdose.

According to a June 16 DAMMADD press release, a $50,000 grant from the
Purdue Pharma Fund in Stamford, Conn., has provided seed money to
allow DAMMADD to expand into Mississippi and South Carolina. Purdue
Pharma is a pharmaceutical company involved in the research, develops,
production and distribution of prescription and over the counter
medications.

"This leadership grant from Purdue has not only helped DAMMADD expand
our organization into more states but led directly to the arrest of
another drug dealer," Steiner said.

"We will be able to help more law enforcement agencies with tips and
help citizens around the country with an anonymous way to alert law
enforcement to illegal drug trafficking."

Locally, a Jackson County Chapter of DAMMADD is forming. Pasty Parker,
an or-ganizer of the group, said the news of the June 7 arrest was
exciting.

"Jackson County was the first in the state to get a tip that led to an
arrest," Parker said.

Through the DAMMADD Web site or toll free number, anonymous tips can
be received concerning suspected or known drug dealers. The
information is then forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Rewards of up to $1,500 can be received for information that leads to
an arrest and conviction.