240 busted in Pompano in new BSO anti-drug program

Sun Sentinel

sun-sentinel.com , Posted May 7 2001, 4:20 PM EDT

POMPANO BEACH -- In the past four months, 240 street- and mid-level drug dealers have been arrested for possession, purchase and delivery of cocaine as part of a new enforcement program, Sheriff Ken Jenne announced on Monday.

More arrests are expected from the START operation, named after the Sheriff’s Targeted Anti-Crime Response Team, Jenne said during a 2 p.m. press conference at the 15th Street Church of Christ, 390 NW 15th St.

According to Cheryl Stopnick, Broward Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman, the department has been working the operation for the past four months.

Helping out were the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Attorney’s offices in South Florida and the west Missouri, the Broward State Attorney’s Office, the Springfield, Missouri, Police Department, and members of South High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.

Thirteen suspects in Broward County and 10 in Missouri were charged federally, and face harsher sentencing guidelines.

The others face state charges. The arrests were made without incident.

During the operation, Stopnick said, BSO detectives learned that Pompano Beach suppliers had set up a cocaine pipeline to Springfield, Missouri.

BSO assisted Springfield police and other agencies in that investigation, Stopnick said.

START, which was developed by Sheriff Ken Jenne, began in late 2000 in Dania Beach’s Modello Park neighborhood.

To date, 61 drug dealers have been arrested at or near the park and six of those have been charged federally. Continued law enforcement actions, nuisance abatement measures and citizen involvement help keep drug peddlers from returning, Stopnick said.

Other START operations will be launched in other cities and unincorporated areas patrolled by the Broward Sheriff's Office.

Copyright © 2001, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001