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Law enforcement conducts warrant sweepFeb 07, 2013 (Mt. Vernon Register-News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Jefferson County law enforcement personnel rounded up a number of area residents Tuesday and Wednesday during a drug warrant sweep. The sweep was conducted by the Joint Narcotics Division of the Mt. Vernon Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. Warrants had been issued for 25 suspects. Those arrested on Tuesday include: --John Ferguson, 26, of the 2100 block of Perkins Ave., on a charge of unlawful delivery of heroin. Bail was set at $30,000; --Randi Webb, 24, of the 2100 block of Perkins Ave., on a charge of unlawful delivery of heroin. Webb was arrested by Marion County authorities; --And Russell Brown, 24, address unknown, on a charge of unlawful delivery of cannabis. Brown was arrested at the Jefferson County Justice Center where he was in custody on other charges, according to police. Those arrested on Wednesday, as of 5 p.m., include: --Melvin Doggan, 58, address unknown, on a charge of unlawful delivery of cannabis; --Chad James, 35, of the 500 block of South 19th Street, on a charge of possession of cannabis between 2.5 and 10 grams; --And Alan Fleming, 29, address unknown, on a charge of unlawful delivery of cannabis between 10 and 30 grams. Fleming was arrested while walking in the area of South 15th and Logan streets. Police confiscated a large sum of money on Fleming's person after taking him into custody. Drug warrant sweeps are held at random times in order to catch suspects off guard. Wednesday's sweep was conducted in the early afternoon hours. "By doing it at mid-afternoon, it goes a little quicker," said MVPD Detective Ron Almaroad. "We don't use radios so that helps. It usually takes about an hour or two before people know that we're out." Chief of Police Chris Mendenall said the sweeps are intended to clean up drug trafficking in the city. "We work closely with the Jefferson County State's Attorney's Office to get drug dealers off the street. There were a number of warrants issued today [Wednesday] for various drug offenses, including methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and cannabis. It is our intention to try to control the drug traffic in our streets," he said. State's Attorney Doug Hoffman rode along on Wednesday's sweep to get a birdseye view of how local law enforcement officials conduct drug sweeps. "It was enjoyable to see our law enforcement officers at work," Hoffman said. "It definitely gives me an appreciation for the job they're doing. We're going to keep the pressure on local drug dealers." ___ (c)2013 the Mt. Vernon Register-News (Mount Vernon, Ill.) Visit the Mt. Vernon Register-News (Mount Vernon, Ill.) at register-news.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |