Arrest made in crack cocaine ring

Observer Staff

1/25/2005 12:00:00 AM

Two dozen suspects in an Isabella County drug ring have been arrested in a case some authorities call precedent-setting.

A multi-agency law enforcement team rounded up 16 suspects since June 24 and arrested eight others in May. Six more suspects remain at large.

Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team investigators say a 30-year-old Detroit resident ran a Motor City-based drug ring that sold cocaine and marijuana to residents of the Isabella Reservation.

The group worked the Mt. Pleasant area for more than 10 years, selling up to eight ounces of crack cocaine-worth about $10,000 a week-said Detective Lt. Mel Matthews, the narcotics' team acting section leader.

"Starting in 2002, BAYANET detectives working in Isabella County were able to determine there was a large-scale drug trafficking ring targeting Native Americans in the Isabella County area," stated Matthews at a June 28 press conference. "These individuals were coming from the Detroit area with illegal narcotics and staying for short periods of time to deliver the drugs."

Police plan to seek forfeiture of three Mt. Pleasant homes, two houses in Detroit, six vehicles and an undisclosed amount of cash, according to Matthews.

The mass arrests followed a two-year investigation that drew in manpower and resources from the DEA, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department, Central Michigan University police, state police from the Mt. Pleasant post, Isabella County Sheriff's Department officers and Mt. Pleasant police.

"Without assistance of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and their resources which allowed the BAYANET north team to add additional manpower, this investigation could have not been as successfully concluded," according to Matthews.

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe allocated BAYANET $895,361 during 2 percent disbursements in the fall of 2002 and 2003.

"This joint law enforcement investigation is a prime example of what can happen when law enforcement works together to combine resources," added Matthews. "The result is a community that is much safer. It is proven that illegal drug distribution directly impacts all other crimes."

His words were echoed by Saginaw Chippewa Chief Audrey Falcon.

"Our Tribal Council has pledged to our membership that we will commit resources and personnel to stop the flow of drugs on our reservation and the central Michigan community," she stated. "Our Tribal government will continue to stand up for all families. It's days like this where we can send a message to those who would seek to bring drugs into our community. That message is, �you do the crime, you will do the time.'"