Monday, February 01, 1999
Drug sweep sends warning
Authorities want dealers to be nervous
BY MARIE McCAIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The effectiveness of a massive crackdown on drug dealers in Lockland and Lincoln Heights 10 days ago can be measured by the width of Mattie Askew's smile.
The Lockland woman is no longer afraid to leave her Walnut Avenue apartment and enjoys the quiet calmness that has settled on her street since authorities busted up a group of suspected crack cocaine dealers down the block.
“I don't want them to come back,” she said. “They need to lock them up and give them long sentences and keep them there. The yards are clean. The streets are clean. The whole of Lockland is clean.”
On Jan. 21, police arrested and charged 30 suspected crack cocaine dealers under various state and federal statutes, ranging from distribution of more than 5 grams of crack cocaine to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.
Malinda Shealey, 29, also has noticed a change.
A clerk at Star Market on Wyoming Avenue in Lock land, she said it was not unusual for people to loiter on certain village streets.
“Now they aren't. ... I have to give credit to Lockland police. They did a good job.”
In Lincoln Heights, one man wasn't as optimistic.
“The drug dealers will wait until everything's settled down. They'll be back,” said John Goode, 24.
Lockland Police Chief Ken Johnson and Lincoln Heights Police Chief Ernie McCowen said the remaining dealers are nervous and wondering what may come next.
“Things have been quiet since (Jan. 21). Prior to then, we made six drug-related arrests, and since, we haven't made any,” said Chief Johnson. “But what happened (Jan. 21) didn't stop (Jan. 21).”
“We want them to be afraid and we want them to know they are not safe here,” added Chief McCowen.
Both chiefs are excited about state legislation to be introduced in the spring that will give police chiefs the power to declare a residence a nuisance and order it closed if two or more felony violations have occurred in a two-year period.
Under current state law, only a building code inspector or the health department can declare a residence a nuisance and close it down.
Lockland police were surprised earlier this week when one of the 30 suspected drug dealers said he was sorry.
“He apologized to us, his family and everyone,” said Patrolman Carl Watts of 22-year-old George Carter.
Patrolman Watts coordinated portions of the investigation with Lincoln Heights Cpl. Conroy Chance, helping to familiarize federal officials with the two villages.
Charged on three federal counts for allegedly conspiring to possess and sell crack cocaine, Mr. Carter offered his apology Jan. 27, police said, adding that it was not a hollow one.
Prior to his arrest, Mr. Carter had never been in serious trouble. His criminal record had only contained minor traffic violations.
“When I saw he was involved, I was really surprised,” Patrolman Watts said. “He was the one guy I never expected.”
With the assistance of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Detroit-based Mobile Enforcement Team (MET), Lockland and Lincoln Heights police made repeated purchases of crack cocaine, eventually gathering enough to merit arrests.
Under federal guidelines, police needed to obtain 5 grams; however, they recovered more than a pound, with a street value of $20,000.
Dealers sold the substance in various amounts.
One-quarter ounce sold for $275-$300, while a half-ounce went for $600-$700. Pieces of crack or “rocks,” depending on the size, sold for $20 or $50. Smaller pieces, called “crumbs,” were $5 or $10.
“These guys had the potential of doing weight,” Patrolman Watts said. “We just want people to know that if you intend to deal drugs, don't deal them here. We're going to be on you.”
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