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DPD Raid 90 Homes, Arrest Over 600, Net $3.5M In Drugs

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit Police say they've conducted dozens of raids in the last six weeks netting them millions of dollars in drugs.WWJ's Marie Osborne reports that since July 1st, Detroit police have raided more than 90 homes, in one of the city's biggest busts ever.

"Since July first, we have raided a total of 90 homes, arrested 616 individuals and confiscated 69 firearms," Police Chief Ralph Godbee said. "We've taken in about $3.5 million worth of heroin, cocaine, marijuana, various pills, Oxycontin and things of that nature, and over $360,000 in cash and narcotic proceeds."

Godbee said the raids took place thanks to citizen tips, a trend he's happy to see develop.

"(We've arrested) 616 persons since July first directly resulting from information given to us and our officers acting upon that information. I think Crime Stoppers last month, they had a record number of tips come into Crime Stoppers, and we've tried to be very vigilant in putting information out."

Godbee said special attention is being paid to "open air drug dealing," where drugs are bought and sold hand to hand from cars.  He says dealers are brazenly blocking traffic in some neighborhoods and places of businesses while drug sales are going down, and citizens are intimidated if they complain.

The following raids had major drug seizures:

The first raid took place on July 17th, on Detroit's west side, where Detroit narcotics officers seized 10,442 grams of marijuana, with an estimated street value of $104,420 and over $5,300 in cash.  Officers also arrested four suspects and confiscated one vehicle.

On July 18th, Detroit narcotics officers executed a search warrant at a home located on the city's east side, where officers confiscated more than 225 grams of heroin and 160 grams of marijuana with an estimated street value of $410,200, recovered one handgun and over $3,200 in cash.  Officers arrested one suspect who was inside the house at the time.

On August 4th, Detroit narcotics officers raided a home located in southwest Detroit, where they discovered 90 marijuana plants (20,430 grams) with an estimated street value of $204,300. They also recovered one handgun and one suspect has been identified and a not-in-custody warrant will be issued.

On August 8th, Detroit narcotics officers raided a home located on the city's eastside where 540 grams of cocaine was seized along with a small quantity of marijuana, with an estimated street value of $216,290. They also recovered one handgun and $56 in U.S.currency. One suspect was arrested at the location.

On August 9th, Detroit narcotics officers executed a search warrant at a home located on the southwest side of Detroit, where they confiscated 66 marijuana plants (14,892 grams) with an approximated street value of $149,820, three handguns and one long gun. Officers also arrested one suspect and confiscated two vehicles.

On August 9th, Detroit narcotics officers raided a home located on the city's east side, where they confiscated 927 grams of heroin with an approximate street value of $1,668,600. Officers arrested seven suspects at the location.

On August 9th, Detroit narcotics officers raided a home located on the west side of Detroit, where they confiscated two grams of marijuana with an approximate street value of $20 and $232,585 in cash, two handguns and two long guns. One suspect has been identified and a not-in-custody warrant will be issued.

On August 2nd and 3rd, 2011, the Detroit Narcotics and Tactical Mobile units conducted Operation: Road Service. This push-off used the data-driven approach, which identified hot spots of high drug crimes areas.

During the two-day operation, Detroit narcotics officers set up surveillance in high narcotic areas and arrested three persons, confiscated 45 vehicles, $110 in cash, and seized 219.9 grams of marijuana with a street value of over $2,000.

Godbee said the results of the raids are another true example of collaborative efforts between the Detroit Police and the citizens which they serve.

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