Numerous law enforcement agencies got an early start this morning in a drug sweep that resulted in multiple arrests in Delta County. Thirty arrest warrants were issued on 19 defendants following a four-month undercover investigation aimed at Delta County drug dealers.
Two others were arrested earlier bringing the total defendant count to 21 as a result of the task force effort. Additionally, one home and approximately $3,343.00 in cash are in the process of being seized as a result of the effort.
The organized arrest effort began around 5 a.m. on May 1, 2013 and included the Delta County Sheriff’s Officers, Constable, Game Warden, Highway Patrol from Delta County and surrounding counties, Hopkins County Special Crimes Unit and the US Marshals office.
The defendants were primarily involved in the sale of marijuana and methamphetamine along with one for selling prescription medicine, i.e. hydrocodone.
As the investigation progressed, the Special Crimes Unit and the Delta County Sheriff’s Office received substantial support from 8th Judicial District Attorney Will Ramsay and his staff. Sheriff Smith and his department are committed to identifying persons in Delta County who are involved in the use and distribution of illegal narcotics throughout the county.
“We have a serious drug problem in Delta County, much more serious than I originally anticipated,” said Delta County Sheriff Ricky Smith. “As a result of this effort 18 independent drug dealers were arrested for selling drugs. Only two of the events involved multiple arrests. Although in reality it may be impossible for us to totally stop the flow of illegal drugs in Delta County, we are going to try. We now have a zero tolerance on drugs, which means charges will be filed in every case on any amount of drugs found in someone’s possession. Our office will continue to focus on this problem and we want to deliver a simple but firm message: if you mess with drugs in Delta County, be prepared to go to jail.”
Arrests were made and/or warrants were issued as follows:
Fifteen Warrants – Felony Delivery of Controlled Substance
Nine Warrants – Felony Delivery of Marijuana
One Warrant – Misdemeanor Delivery of Marijuana
Four Warrants – Felony Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity
One Warrant – Misdemeanor Theft
“Our focus was to bring undercover agents into Delta County to address our growing drug problem. The sting was very successful and we were able to target several street level drug dealers,” said Sheriff Smith.
Smith commended the HCSC Unit, “We could not have been this successful without the help of the Hopkins County Special Crimes Unit. I want to personally thank the Special Crimes Unit, Chief Jim Bayuk, Sheriff Butch Adams, the City of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County for their assistance is this effort. We have found that drugs tend to flow between our Counties and this effort will not only help deter drugs in Delta County but also in Hopkins County as well.”
