WARE – The mass drug arrests last week of 36 mostly Ware residents on drug charges such as dealing heroin, cocaine and prescription narcotics – powerfully addicting and life-destroying illicit substances, was a quiet affair.
Authorities say most of those arrested in the drug sting sold narcotics to feed their own addiction
During the police action on Saturday, there were no gunfights no weapons seized and very little money confiscated.
Authorities have also confirmed that one individual arrested was carrying 33 bags of heroin – with up to a gram per bag - when arrested on Saturday.
That was the exception; otherwise not a lot of contraband was seized.
The illicit drug dealing occurring in Ware consisted mostly of small-time alleged pushers selling to feed their own habits, according to police.
The problem of rising prescription drug abuse is among the most pernicious developments in law enforcement, according to Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan.
The National Institutes of Health estimate that 20 percent of the U.S. public now uses prescription drugs for non-medical reasons.
The DA says more Americans now abuse prescription drugs than the total number who abuse cocaine and heroin combined.
In Ware, many of those arrested knew the others taken into custody, but they did not coordinate with each other while selling drugs, Ware Police Chief Dennis Healey said.
"We are not a drug hub, but obviously there is a demand," Healey said in an interview on Tuesday.
The relative low-cost of purchasing heroin is one factor driving its increased use, the chief said. Cocaine abuse has been a law enforcement challenge for decades.
"They were drug users. For the most part, they were selling to meet their own need," Healey said.
The suspects got caught by a police sting that involved an undercover officer posing as a customer and purchasing the drugs. Police said that individual's identity will remain confidential.
"A lot of credit goes to the undercover officer who was in dangerous situations and exhibited bravery," Healey said. "We have had a lot of favorable community reaction. It was a very successful organization."
The chief said community response to the coordinated police action last week has been all positive.
Ware Police along with state police, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office and the Hampshire County Sheriff's Office executed search warrants that targeted 40 individuals. Some are still being sought.
The arrests followed an 18-month investigation, called Operation Crack Down, initiated by the Ware Police Department.
Ware police Sgts. Ken Kovich and Shawn Crevier coordinated the operation.
In 2009 a similar sting, also code-named Operation Crack Down, resulted in at least 30 arrests. Nearly eight years ago Ware police also undertook a major dragnet to staunch the sale and distribution of illegal drugs in town.
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