Three days. 187 arrests. More than 100 officers.
Those are just a few of the impressive numbers that came from a three-day, inter-agency coordinated effort to disrupt the opioid and heroin trade in Macomb County.
More than 100 officers and 22 agencies worked with Macomb County law enforcement to execute Operation Smack Down IV.
Roseville Chief of Police James Berlin said the goal of the operation was to disrupt distribution by arresting as many drug traffickers as possible.
"We seized heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, an ungodly amount of analog, opioid pills, etc.," he said.
Officers achieved that goal by flooding known trafficking areas with undercover officers, so dealers could no longer tell the difference between users and undercover agents.
So here are the numbers:
- Felony arrests: 125
- Misdemeanor arrest: 62
- Ordinance arrest: 16
- Total Arrests: 187
- 5 weapons and 53 vehicles were seized
- Officers confiscated heroin, cocaine, marijuana and crack cocaine
"This is the worse narcotic problem I've seen in my career," said Berlin.
All the people arrested were visited by an “Angel of Rehab” with Families Against Narcotics to learn about rehabilitation opportunities.
“Until we get prescribing habits curbed, and doctors are writing what is recommended by the CDC, then we’re going to continue to see surges in heroin use,” said Judge Linda Davis with Families Against Narcotics.
“That’s why it’s so important that they have information about recovery programs so they’re not left just to suffer with their own addiction, but to actually start dealing with it.”
Davis said to lock narcotics away safely.
"Treat them like you would a loaded gun," she said.
