DOZENS FACE CHARGES IN DRUG STING

BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. - A Memorial Day weekend drug enforcement operation
in Jackson County resulted in drug-related charges for occupants in 42 of
62 vehicles stopped outside of Black River Falls, according to the Jackson
County Sheriff's Department. Advertisement

During the enforcement action Friday and Saturday, sheriff's deputies
stopped 62 motorists for traffic infractions.

While the vehicles were stopped, a drug dog was walked around the vehicle.
If the dog indicated drugs were in the vehicle, deputies searched for drugs.

The operation took place on Interstate 94 and Hwy. 12 north of Black River
Falls and coincided with the Big Wu Reunion concert, a Ho-Chunk Pow Wow and
the typically busy Memorial Day weekend traffic, according to Lt. Patrick
LaBarbera with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department.

Officers arrested five people for felony drug violations and eight people
for misdemeanor drug violations. Twenty-seven people were issued citations
for drug violations - most for drug paraphernalia. There were also 17
traffic citations given, and three people were cited for underage liquor
violations.

This marks the fourth year of the drug interdiction. And, LaBarbera said,
the results were about the same as in years past.

While traffic in and around Black River Falls was high because of all of
the events, sheriff's officials were most concerned about the Big Wu Family
Reunion, at which at least three people suffered drug overdoses and were in
critical condition Wednesday morning, according to the sheriff's department.

Sheriff department officials said they will likely ask the county board to
give "second thoughts" to issuing a permit for the event next year unless
further efforts are made to control illegal drug use and abuse, according
to a news release.