'OPERATION BRICKLAYER' MAKING STREETS SAFER

Area law enforcement personnel certainly have "taken a bite out of crime"
here in North Central West Virginia in recent weeks, especially along the
I-79 Corridor.

Several arrests were made in November in connection with "Operation
Bricklayer," which was an 11-month investigation into drug activity in the
region -- mainly heroin and cocaine trafficking.

And just this past week, several individuals entered guilty pleas in
federal court before Chief U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley that stemmed
from those same arrests.

U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Johnston, as well as other officials, deserve
praise for getting these criminals off our streets and out of our
neighborhoods.

The pernicious effects of drug use in our communities have been well
documented. Therefore, efforts by law enforcement agencies and our judicial
system to reduce the flow of drugs here is greatly appreciated.

"Operation Bricklayer" netted 12 prosecutions in federal court and at least
three others in state circuit court, according to a source close to the
investigation.

Another source had said that the investigation was carried out after
several fatalities from heroin-related overdoses.

More pleas are expected in these drug cases, which were investigated by the
Mon Valley Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force and officers from the
Fairmont Police Department, the Monongah Police Department and the Drug
Enforcement Administration. Others offering assistance were Marion County
Prosecuting Attorney Susan Riffle and the Pittsburgh Police Department. The
U.S. Marshals Service also deserves mention for aiding in the arrests in
these cases.

Johnston said that "cooperation among officials and agencies at all levels
is the cornerstone of our law enforcement efforts. 'Operation Bricklayer'
has been an outstanding example of that cooperation."

We hope Johnston can continue to count on area agencies to coordinate their
efforts to battle the scourge of illegal drug use in North Central West
Virginia.

From what we've seen so far, our region seems to be blessed with competent
officials who are serious about stopping drug trafficking. Keep up the good
work.

Patrick Martin