HAMILTON — Officer Essex Shepherd had been driving his police van less than five minutes when he spotted one of 61 suspects wanted on drugs and weapons warrants.

        Minutes after arresting that suspect Thursday afternoon, Officer Shepherd spotted and snagged another.

Hamilton Police take a woman into custody during “Operation Safe Home,” a drug and weapon sweep in government housing near downtown. (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

        City police looked for — and found — some all-too-familiar faces during “Operation Safe Home VII,” an annual drug and weapons sweep in and around public housing areas.

        “Some of these people have been arrested so many times, they're like family,” said Sgt. Thomas E. Kilgour, Hamilton police spokesman. “Some of them have been dealing dope since they were 15.”

        All 61 suspects, indicted on a total of 267 counts, had prior drugs and/or weapons charges, police said. Officers are frustrated to see so many repeat offenders. But they say the roundup puts a temporary dent in street-corner drug trade — and this year's effort targeted some higher-level drug dealers.

        “We've been able to track down some of the suppliers this time,” said Sgt. Carl Sigmon of the department's vice section.

        Those bigger dealers were being sought on warrants of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, which carries increased penalties.

        Investigators worked many hours to “burrow past the street dealer” and find those higher-level suppliers, said Police Chief Neil Ferdelman.

        A dozen adults and four juveniles were arrested within the first half-hour of Thursday's operation.

        Officers also executed 20 search warrants. Among the significant seizures: a kilo (about 2.2 pounds) of cocaine valued at $45,000, a half-kilo of crack cocaine and more than $25,000 in cash.

        Cooperating authorities include the Butler Metropolitan Housing Authority, the county prosecutor's office, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification and the U.S. Department of Housing's Office of Inspector General.

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