Miami/Fulton Counties – Recently, eight police departments in north central Indiana teamed up for three days to help stem the flow of illegal narcotics into Hoosier communities.
Officers from the Indiana State Police, the Miami County Sheriff’s Department, the Logansport Police Department, the Peru Police Department, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department, and the Rochester Police Department utilized marked and unmarked police cars to conduct saturation patrols on U.S. 31 in Miami and Fulton Counties. Patrol officers were augmented by K-9 officers utilizing narcotic detecting police dogs.
Officers dubbed the unannounced three day patrols “Operation Blue Thunder.” The goal was to catch and arrest individuals who utilize Indiana roadways to transport and distribute illegal narcotics. U.S. 31 was chosen because a large volume of motorists utilize the road to travel through the heart of northern Indiana. Officers wanted to serve notice that as the summer temperatures increase, so will their vigilance in keeping illegal narcotics from reaching Hoosier communities.
June 22nd through June 24th, officers teamed up to make 64 criminal arrests on 134 different drug related charges. Eighteen of the charges were classified as felonies. Officers also issued 102 traffic citations and 268 written warnings. There was also one driving while impaired arrest. During the three days, officers located cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamine, marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, edible marijuana food, and prescription medication. They also located drug paraphernalia. All of the contraband was found during traffic stops made by the various police departments.
“As the summer kicks off, we want to send a message that Indiana roads are closed to those who transport illegal drugs,” stated Indiana State Police Sergeant Daniel Prus, who organized and oversaw the patrols. “Indiana police officers will utilize all of the resources at their disposal to catch and arrest the few who transport illegal drugs.”
Citizens are encouraged to call their local law enforcement agencies with any information about the possession, distribution, or selling of illegal narcotics. Information can also be reported anonymously by calling the Indiana State Police Drug and Gang Hotline at 1-800-453-4756.
