A drug sweep operation Tyrone Police Chief Joe Beachem and his staff have been planning for almost a half a year got underway last evening targeting 14 suspected drug dealers in the Tyrone Area.
According to Chief Beachem, four of the suspected dealers were picked up last night. The sweep was scheduled to continue throughout the day.
“We’re really happy with what has happened here,” Beachem told The Daily Herald this morning. “It’s another big dent in the drug problem here in Tyrone.”
Although more details were unavailable at press time, Agent Randy P. Feathers, from the Blair County District Attorney’s office, told The Daily Herald this morning that the investigation in all the cases are on-going and hinted that more details would be shared at a press conference scheduled for 11 a.m.
Feathers said the sweep was the result of a five or six month investigation initiated by the Tyrone Police Department. He said he believes all the arrests will involve street-level dealers pedaling everything from heroin to cocaine to marijuana.
Approximately 30 law enforcement officers from the state attorney general’s office, state police, Blair County Drug Task Force, and the Blair County Sheriff’s Office began serving arrest warrants at 7 a.m. today. Those defendants caught by police were brought to the Neptune Fire Hall on Lincoln Avenue, where they were processed.
“It’s a pleasure working with the (Blair County) Drug Task Force during operations such as this,” said Beachem. “We wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.”
Feathers echoed Beachem’s remarks.
“I think the police force in Tyrone is strong and really work hard to get rid of the drug problem,” said Feathers. “We have a good relation with Tyrone and Chief Beachem and it’s wonderful to work with them.”
Those arrested were then arraigned on various charges by District Justice Fred Miller.
The Blair County District Attorney’s office will prosecute all the cases involved in today’s sweep.
