Sweep piles up drug charges

By Barry Porterfield
Staff Writer

July 30, 2008 11:50 am

— The number of Garvin County court cases for drug offenses have continued to rise rapidly this week after an arrest warrant sweep that netted several suspects.
Described as a sweep of the Pauls Valley, Wynnewood and Maysville areas over several hours this past weekend, county deputies reported a total of 21 arrests were made with all but one on allegations of selling or possessing illegal narcotics.
More specifically, authorities said the undercover operation taking a year to push forward was mostly to find individuals selling methamphetamine, and more specifically “ice,” which is a purer form of the illegal drug.
“We wanted to keep the element of surprise on our side at all time,” said Lt. Travis Crawford with the Garvin County Sheriff’s Department, who described it as a quiet and secretive operation.
“The warrant sweep consisted of individuals we’ve been purchasing narcotics from during the last 12 months. We were using informants to make those purchases,” he said.
It officially got started Friday night after 20 arrest warrants were first issued.
Deputies split into teams of three and for several hours searched for the suspects at their homes or official places of work.
Ten of those warrants were served as deputies also took into custody 11 others who previously had warrants issued for them on drug allegations.
“They are not low-key players,” Crawford said about suspects sought in the sweep.
“These individuals are responsible for selling narcotics in Garvin County,” he said.
“We’re talking about getting the ones who sell dope for profit. This is what they do.”
The deputy was quick to add the thing is not yet over.
“This operation is still in play. There are 10 individuals that are still out there.”
Crawford indicated there are several reasons for operations like this one.
Topping that list is getting information about the people who supplied the drugs to those now caught and formally charged.
In return for that information suspects could avoid prison time. Still, they get sentenced on paper to along with whatever rehabilitation programs they might need.
“All of these people have families. They just kind of have a different occupation. We received more information about (drug) suppliers outside of our jurisdiction,” Crawford said adding that information is then relayed to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
As for the deputy’s boss, Sheriff Bill Roady, Crawford said he is encouraging his guys to go after drug offenders whenever time and limited resources allow.
“He wants us to concentrate on narcotics. We’re doing that the best we can even though we’re shorthanded and the price of gas is so high.”