PHILLIPS POLICE ANNOUNCE MULTIPLE DRUG ARRESTS

Five suspects currently facing charges as part of sting
operation

Phillips Police Chief Dave Sonntag announced that 17 Price County
residents have been arrested during the course of a major drug
investigation to reduce the amount of trafficking within the city.

"This investigation began as soon as I took this position," Sonntag
said. "The city council, high school students, senior citizens and
other community members had raised concerns about the drug problems in
the community."

Sonntag took office in 2004 and said he immediately began the
operation to build inroads into the drug subculture within Phillips.

"We built intelligence from citizen information, confidential
informants and undercover work," he said. "It takes time to build a
case such as this."

He would not release details of specific operations, not wanting to
jeopardize future investigations.

However, Price County District Attorney Mark Fuhr said arrests have
been made over a course of weeks and currently only five people have
been charged in connection with the operation spearheaded by the
Phillips police.

Fuhr was attending a district attorney's conference when Sonntag
announced the arrests to the press. He was unaware of Sonntag's
comments and said the initial reports on regional television newscasts
may have been inaccurate.

Sonntag said he released the information about the multiple arrests
because rumors were spreading about the operation and he wanted the
public to understand the story.

Fuhr said he did receive a large box of information within the last
few days and said there may be more charges filed against other suspects.

The charges against the five named suspects were filed between May 22
and June 4. Fuhr said they were probably arrested 48 hours prior to
the charges being filed.

Sonntag said many of the charges will be for felony delivery
violations, stemming from the distribution of marijuana and cocaine,
as well as a number of prescription drugs such as Vicodine, Xanax,
Methadone, Dexedrine, Adderall, Ropinirole, Saroquel, Trazadone and
other narcotic and prescription drugs.

Prescription drug abuse has been on the rise in Phillips, according to
Sonntag. The investigation uncovered evidence of prescription drug
thefts from elderly victims and the subsequent sale of those drugs to
willing buyers. He added fraudulent prescriptions have been presented
to local pharmacies and other drug outlets, leading to a flood of
illegal drugs in the area.

In a proactive effort to stem this tide of illegal prescription drugs
on the market, medical providers, such as Marshfield Clinic and local
pharmacies, have instituted prescription drug contracts and
notifications to identify drug seekers or suppliers.

Sonntag added that the investigation did find some of the suspects
traveled to Chicago, Rockford, Ill., Minneapolis and Milwaukee to
obtain some of the drugs for distribution in the Phillips area.

One drug Sonntag said was not prevalent or even found in the
investigation was Methamphetamine.

"We really have seen a drop off in that area," he said. "What is
really prevalent in the area is prescription abuse."

If found guilty, the persons charged could face penalties ranging from
$10,000 to $50,000 in fines or imprisonment ranging from nine months
to 15 years or both.

Cooperative effort

The investigation included not only Phillips Police personnel but the
Price County Sheriff's Department and officers with the North Central
Drug Enforcement Group (NORDEG). It included covert drug purchases and
undercover work to secure the arrests and build cases.

Sonntag said he was not at liberty to discuss any arrests of suspects
in neighboring counties. There have been reports of four suspects
being arrested in Oneida County in connection with this
investigation.

The Phillips Police Department and the Price County Sheriff's
Department are members of NORDEG, which provides intelligence and a
clearinghouse for drug activity in the region. NORDEG officers are
also used for undercover operations.

Sonntag said the city council has also been supportive of the
investigation.

"This was a directive I received as soon as I was hired. The council
has been on board right from the beginning."

While the chief couldn't discuss the exact cost of the investigation
so far, he said the council and Mayor Jeff Fahl have worked diligently
to provide his department with the needed funds to carry out the operation.

Budgeted funds for other police operations have been shifted to the
investigation with the understanding that those areas losing funding
will be restored in future budgets. In addition, the city has
adequately funded a confidential fund for the department to use for
covert buys and confidential informants.

"The mayor has strongly supported this operation from the beginning,"
Sonntag said. "His efforts have allowed us to have the resources to be
effective in this."

Sonntag also recognizes the efforts of citizens in an operation of
this size.

"The success of these types of operations is a result of citizens
working with police in reporting suspicious activities and providing
police with the information needed to conduct a successful
investigation.

"We will continue to take a proactive approach to protecting our
citizens from those who prey on our children and our future. We cannot
hope to be successful without citizen input and involvement."

Sonntag said this investigation is just the tip of the iceberg and he
is not planning to quit targeting drug use in the community.

"As long as I am chief, this will be a priority to keep the community
safe," he said.