DRUG SWEEP'S AIM: CLEAN STREETS

BOLIVIA - The knocks Tuesday on the doors of 31 Brunswick County homes were
followed by arrests from area law enforcement officials serving warrants on
various drug charges.

The arrests started about 5 a.m. and resulted from the six-month Operation
Clean Streets. Brunswick County Sheriff's Department officials, who
orchestrated the operation, said they expect it to play a major role in
taking crack cocaine out of various neighborhoods.

"We hope this will send a strong message that dealers here will not be
tolerated," Sheriff Ronald Hewett said.

Charges included possession with intent to sell and deliver, manufacturing
of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

More than 10 agencies took part in the arrests that covered Leland, Navassa,
Cedar Hill, Winnabow, Bolivia, Supply, Southport, Longwood and a number of
smaller communities.

Officials surrounded the homes, before knocking on doors. Some officials
could be heard telling the mothers they were sorry as they escorted the
suspects to their squad cars.

Drugs were confiscated out of some of the homes.

Officials said many of the arrests were the result of community complaints
and tips.

"We have neighborhoods that are inundated with crack cocaine, and good
citizens are tired of it," Chief Deputy Tony Cummings said.

Operation Clean Streets started in January, using undercover agents. By
June, authorities were able to videotape 48 people selling crack cocaine.
Another dealer was recorded on audio.

More than 51 warrants were issued, including two for people who were charged
as a result of past vehicle stops. Officials rousted 31 suspects from their
homes, and another two were already in jail.

"We consider capturing at least 50 percent to be a good number," said Lt.
John Ingram, an official with the Sheriff's Department narcotics unit.

Three hours into the operation, authorities had arrested more than 20
people. By noon, they had caught 11 more.

Lt. Ingram said they didn't expect to catch many during the end of the
arrests as drug dealers and other people probably began passing the word of
the operation. At least one suspect got away in his vehicle minutes before
deputies reached his home, Lt. Ingram said. One suspect tried unsuccessfully
to escape out of a window.

Suspects were brought behind the Brunswick County jail and were held in a
state Department of Correction bus until they could be processed.

Some suspects yelled out that they had been "set up" and shouted at people
they said were informants. At least one prisoner said he wanted his "pot
back."

The number of arrests almost doubled the already overcrowded jail's
76-person capacity, said Capt. Kevin Holden, chief jailer.

"We will have to put a lot of mattresses on the floors," Capt. Holden said.