Pocono News Section

Drug Task Force Raid Nets Two Dozen Alleged Offenders

Drug Task Force Raid Nets Two Dozen Alleged Offenders - Friday, May 9, 2008 at 5:20PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Friday, May 9, 2008 @ 05:20pm EST
Sunbury, Northumberland County-

Two dozen alleged drug offenders have been rounded up following a three month investigation in Northumberland and Montour counties.

Appropriately named “Operation Spring Showers,” the first phase of a Northumberland/Montour County Drug Task Force initiative is being heralded as a huge success.

Our cameras were rolling as, one by one, fourteen alleged drug users and dealers were brought today in for arraignments.

Northumberland County D. A. Anthony Rosini and Sunbury Police Chief Steve Mazzeo say drug problems are prevalent, not only here, but throughout the entire Susquehanna valley. Rosini explained, “What drugs do to an area is they cause other crimes to increase as people who are addicted to drugs commit crimes to get money to feed their habit.”

According to arrest papers, most of the charges against the 25 defendants stem from possession or intent to deliver marijuana or cocaine. Police say they also seized three handguns, two-and-a-half bundles of heroine, Oxycontin pills, and about $16,000 in cash.

We’re told there are at least two more outstanding warrants related to operation spring showers. Police say they will be conducting similar investigations in the future.

And if the latest arrests aren’t enough, Sunbury Mayor Jesse Woodring has a message for local drug offenders. “We are a hardworking community, a good family community, and we don’t need this nonsense. They are not welcome here. As far as I’m concerned, they can just pack up and leave,” Woodring noted.

About two dozen officers took part in the raids. Police say the drugs they seized could have a street value of up to $20,000.