Keep Bailing

OAKLAND, CA — 126 people have been issued felony arrest warrants which have lead to the recovery of over 12 pounds of cocaine, two pounds of methamphetamine, two pounds of marijuana and seven firearms. The drug sweep began early Monday.

The goal was to clean up the street-level drug dealers and keep the narcotics off the streets. Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts said ultimately, officials will aim for the “big fish,” but first have to identify any key players. Batts  also stated, “I’ve asked the Oakland PD to focus on drugs, guns and gangs in order to save lives.”

On Monday, 120 police officers went in search for 101 known and wanted dealers. The results came in at 42 arrests of some of those targeted.  Additionally, 30 more were arrested on suspicion of either narcotics or firearm possession, violation of parole and other warrants.

Those who participate in the world of drug dealing  may take precursory measures by giving incorrect identification, false addresses, court records or false paperwork to the DMV. Officer Scott Seder stated, “They know they’ll be sought out by law enforcement at some point… getting correct addresses is only one of many challenges in policing the drug trade.”

He further explained, “A narcotic transaction us usually done in under three seconds. I t can look like a brief two-hand handshake. So to get a really good, solid case for sales, you have to get someone selling to a cop.”

Moving forward, police plan to continue their sweep by issuing further search warrants and getting the rest of the accused drug dealers permanently off the streets of Oakland.