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350 arrested
Published September 8, 2007
“It’s not over today. This is just the beginning,” said Keith Bryars, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s Birmingham Division.
Bryars moderated Friday’s news conference at the Boaz Law Enforcement Training Center.
Bryars told the assembly of law enforcement, city officials and media, “It is a great day for law enforcement and indeed this community.”
Carmen Adams, Special Agent in Charge of the Birmingham Division, a participant in the initial planning stages of Operation Clean Sweep, approved, monitored its execution, and held ultimate oversight responsibility for the operation said,
“Today we announce the culmination of a week long initiative called Operation Clean Sweep … an operation organized by the FBI … designed to address, from a multi-jurisdictional perspective of gangs, violent crime, and drug offenders in certain counties in northeast Alabama.”
“The operation was a success with the arrest of over 350 individuals, the seizure of 16 stolen vehicles, the recovery of numerous weapons and a variety of drugs.”
Adams continued, “Since 9/11 the FBI has dedicated considerable resources to national security issues. We’re here to tell you today — this is a hometown security issue that we are addressing and will continue to address.”
Adams emphasized the message is, “We will continue to work together as law enforcement to address violent offenders, gangs and drug offenders.”
She added, “If you are a criminal in one of these communities, my suggestion would be that you don’t commit a crime – or be prepared to be arrested and prosecuted.”
Adams introduced Ken Kaiser, assistant director of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division in Washington, D.C., as underscoring “…the importance of this type of operation to the FBI from a national perspective.”
Kaiser said, “The FBI continues to fight in criminal cases, violent crimes and gangs. In doing so we work with our partners in that spirit. We have 48 law enforcement agencies who worked together a long time as a team to bring more than 350 people to justice.”
“From my perspective, there has not been an operation having this many agencies working together to arrest and remove this many narcotics distributors, gang members and violent offenders off our streets in recent history.
“So,” he added, “I am very proud to come here and recognize the law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in the accomplishment of this mission and the impact it has had on this community is huge – and very significant.”
Operation Clean Sweep targeted criminal violations involving drug distribution, drug trafficking, and illegal possession of firearms.
One hundred sixty-one felony arrest warrants were made and 20 search warrants were serviced.
However, various other offenders were caught up in the sweep, including two previously deported aliens, a convicted sex offender, and a validated gang member.
In addition, some 30 firearms including multiple assault rifles and sawed off shotguns, significant amounts of cash, various drugs including crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, pills and marijuana were confiscated.
A sizable marijuana-growing operation was discovered in DeKalb County and destroyed. Sixteen stolen vehicles were recovered, more than 900 safety-related traffic citations were issued. And, more than 180 vehicles over the five county region were impounded.
Bryars lauded the work of the district attorneys from Marshall, DeKalb, Etowah, St. Clair and Blount counties in preparing the local and state felony arrest warrants and grand jury work.
He also commended the work and cooperation of the sheriffs of the five counties and the police chiefs present from Albertville, Arab, Boaz, Collinsville, Fort Payne, Geraldine, Guntersville and Rainsville.
Bryars recognized the work of the local law enforcement and the highway patrol in roadblock and enforcement operations.
Whether the operation netted any high-echelon drug members, Adams said, “We may find out we have somebody who is very high up in the organization, but that remains to be seen.
“Violent gang and drug criminal enterprises are no longer an option in Northeastern Alabama,” Adams emphasized “… we will continue to aggressively pursue individuals who threaten the safety of our communities,” he said.
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