AREA SWEEP NETS 17 DRUG DEALING SUSPECTS

A joint law enforcement operation, known as Hot Spots II, led to the
arrests of 17 drug dealers from Bolivar and Sunflower counties and the
seizure of almost $6,000 in cash during drug arrests made this morning.

The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics joined forces with Bolivar County
Sheriff's Department and the Cleveland Police Department about four to six
months ago to combat drug use in the area.

Operation Hot Spots II is a continuation of Operation Hot Spots I, which
took place about a year ago targeting areas within the Greenwood District.

Through the operation, law enforcement officials use information obtained
through investigations to identify and target the alleged drug dealers and
suppliers in the area. After connecting the individuals with the drugs,
arrests warrants are placed on them and the alleged dealers are arrested
and brought in for an initial hearing.

Approximately 25 officers from Bolivar and Sunflower counties, along with
narcotic agents, went to residences in the communities of Shaw, Shelby,
Cleveland, Ruleville and Renova and made 17 arrests this morning with eight
of those arrested being from Bolivar County.

"At least four of the people we picked up are Class I operators here in
Bolivar County," said Bolivar County Sheriff H.M. "Mack" Grimmett.

Grimmett explained how drug dealers are classified according to their role
in drug trafficking, meaning whether they are dealers on the street corners
or suppliers behind the scenes. He said the Class I operators are of top
priority for law enforcement officials because they are the actual
suppliers of the drugs.

"If they can't get the supplies, they can't sell," said Cleveland Police
Chief Wayne Cobb, who was pleased with the combined efforts from this
morning's arrest roundup.

"We started the roundup this morning at 6 a.m.," Grimmett said.

Although 17 people were brought in for booking and an initial hearing by
midmorning today, there are plans for more arrests.

"It's still not over. There will be more arrests today and tomorrow," said
Jeff Overstreet, a group supervisor with the Mississippi Bureau of
Narcotics. "We hope to have 20-30 people in jail in the next two days.

"We are working with the police department and the sheriff's department to
alleviate the distribution of controlled substances in our area," he continued.

However, Operation Hot Spots II is not just local to Bolivar and Sunflower
counties. The operation is going on throughout the state today in an
attempt to fight drug use in Mississippi.

"Drugs are not just bad in Bolivar County but all over the state," Grimmett
explained. "Either people are selling drugs or are on drugs committing a crime.

"(But) I feel good about the operation this morning," he admitted.

"I think it made a big dent in the drug trafficking around the county and
in the state," Overstreet added.

Those arrested this morning are a mixture of big level suppliers and street
level dealers.

A total of $5,967 was taken off of one individual in Shaw who is suspected
to be a high level dealer in the area. The cash will be divided up among
the three law enforcement agencies to be used for further drug prevention
methods.

In addition to the cash, a vehicle was also seized, but no drugs were
actually found during the arrests.

Overstreet explained how the drug deals had already taken place, and law
enforcement officials were acting on arrest warrants made from those prior
deals.

The individuals arrested were taken before Circuit Court Judge Al Smith for
an initial hearing today.

"I'm glad to get dealers off the streets," Cobb said. "This is just the tip
of the iceberg, but anytime you can get a big dealer off the streets" it's
helpful.

He was also glad all the law enforcement officials returned safely and
unharmed after making the arrests in which they received no resistance.

Overall, Overstreet said the actual arrests were easy and went smoothly.
"We were real pleased with the operation in Bolivar County," Grimmett said.
"This is very important not just to law enforcement but to the citizens."

Realizing the severity of the drug problem in the area, a new program was
set up several months ago between the police department and the sheriff's
department in which local law enforcement officials were set aside to only
target the drug trafficking in the county.

"We are looking for a drug dog at this time," Cobb said. "This will be a
big asset to us.

"I'm glad we all came together and this new program was set up."

Operation Hot Spots II is an example of the efforts being put forth under
the new program, and according to Cobb, there will be other initiatives to
follow in the future.